Seated with Christ: From Death to Life, From Mountain to Majesty

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4–6, ESV)

This passage captures the heart of the gospel—we were dead, but now we are alive. Paul echoes this truth in Romans 6:4–6, reminding us that through baptism, we are united with Christ not only in His death, but in His resurrection. “Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Sin’s power over us has been broken! Our old nature was crucified with Him so that we would no longer live enslaved to sin.

In Christ, we are a new creation—not just forgiven, but transformed. And more than that, we are raised up and seated with Him in heavenly places. Spiritually speaking, that is our position now. We don’t live from a place of defeat, fear, or striving. We operate from a place of victory and authority because we are seated next to the King.

Consider the contrast from Exodus 19. When God descended on Mount Sinai in thunder, smoke, and fire, the people were warned not to even touch the mountain’s edge. “Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death.” Only Moses could approach. God’s holiness was unapproachable; His glory, untouchable. Humanity stood at a distance in awe and fear.

But now, through Christ, the story is entirely different. God didn’t just come down the mountain—He lifted us up. The same glory that once consumed now indwells. The same holiness that once excluded now embraces. No longer are we spectators at the base of the mountain; we are participants seated in heavenly places with Jesus.

This is the miracle of grace: what was once impossible is now our reality. We are alive. We are raised. We are seated with Christ in glory—living from His victory, empowered to bring heaven’s reality to earth.