Paul took time to reflect on our past failures and God's present redemption. He insists that God not only raised Jesus up and sat Him in heavenly places above all authority (Eph. 2:20,21), but He did the same for us (2:4-6). We must identify with Christ in His life, death, resurrection, and ascension. We have been raised with Christ. No wonder Paul could lead with such boldness! He lived and led off of this paramount truth.
What must we do to experience the same kind of authority in Christ: Paul gives his answer:
1. Renew your perspective (Col. 3:1-3).
We must think like God thinks. We must see ourselves as He does and fix our minds on Him. We must base our life on this position rather than our experience.
2. Release your past (Gal. 2:20).
We must let go of old patterns. We will never lead in an empowering way if we hold on to our old self, our old baggage, our old citizenship. We must die to the past.
3. Remember your purpose (Eph. 1:3-12).
We drift when we lose sight of why God left us on earth. Our goal is to participate in God's redemptive plan for the world. If we embrace purpose, we gain power.
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