\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In his book, \u201cSit, Walk, Stand<\/em><\/strong>\u201d, the late Watchman Nee, a Chinese church leader and teacher, reveals an interesting way of summarising the book of Ephesians. A mere 78 pages, it is a small book with a big message. Simple but profound, it provides fresh insights to believers, both young and old.<\/span><\/p>\n While the verb \u2018sit\u2019 is passive, \u2018walk\u2019 and \u2018stand\u2019 connote active participation.<\/span><\/p>\n What does \u2018sit\u2019 mean<\/strong>, spiritually speaking? When we \u2018sit\u2019, we rest<\/strong> in what Christ accomplished for us; we need not do anything.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n He chose us before the foundation of the world and predestined us to be His children (Ephesians 1: 4-5).<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n While we were dead in sin, He saved us and made us sit with Christ in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:5-6)<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMost Christians make the mistake of trying to walk in order to be able to sit, but that is a reversal of the true order. Our natural reason says, \u2018If we do not walk, how can we ever reach the goal? What can we attain without effort? How can we ever get anywhere if we do not move? But Christianity is a queer business! If at the outset we try to do anything, we get nothing; if we seek to attain something, we miss everything. For Christianity begins not with the big DO<\/strong>, but with the big DONE<\/strong>. Thus Ephesians opens with the statement that God has \u2018blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ\u2019 (1:3) and we are invited at the very outset to sit down and enjoy what God has done for us; not to set out to try and attain it for ourselves\u201d (Watchman Nee, \u201cSit, Walk Stand\u201d, Pg 2).<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What does \u2018walk\u2019 mean<\/strong>, spiritually speaking? When we \u2018walk\u2019, we are living out<\/strong> our faith in practical terms.<\/span><\/p>\n Since we have been translated from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light (Ephesians 2:1-2):<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Though it is important to \u2018walk<\/strong>\u2019\u2014work out our faith<\/strong>\u2014Nee cautions against doing it in our own strength:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe all-important rule is not to \u2018try<\/strong>\u2019 but to \u2018trust<\/strong>,\u2019 not to depend upon our own strength but upon his\u2026 Too many of us are caught acting as Christians. The life of many Christians today is largely a pretense. They live a \u2018spiritual\u2019 life, talk a \u2018spiritual\u2019 language, adopt \u2018spiritual\u2019 attitudes, but they are doing the whole thing themselves\u201d (pg.38-9).<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Thirdly, we need to \u2018stand<\/strong>\u2019 because we are soldiers of Christ engaged in spiritual warfare. We need to be alert, vigilant and prepared always.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the above, we can see how important it is to have a proper balance in our Christian life. We need all these three steps<\/strong> in our faith walk\u2014and they must be in the correct sequence<\/strong> as well.<\/span><\/p>\n Firstly, we have to sit before we can walk. <\/strong>To sit is to rest in the finished work of Christ <\/strong>at the cross and enjoy all the benefits that come with it: forgiveness, peace with God, direct access to Him, assurance of His presence always in all circumstances and eternal life.<\/span><\/p>\n After understanding what it means to SIT<\/strong>, we then proceed to live our lives in a manner worthy of our calling\u2014we begin to WALK<\/strong>.\u00a0***<\/span><\/p>\n Secondly, we cannot just sit, and not walk, as liberal teachers would have us think.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Liberal theology emphasises what we get to enjoy based on our position in Christ but downplays personal responsibility. Indeed, the wind of doctrine now blowing across some churches is that accountability is a dirty word, good works border on legalism and \u2018works righteousness\u2019, there is nothing more believers need to do because it is \u2018all by God\u2019s grace\u2019 and that once we are justified in Christ, we have already \u201carrived\u201d, without any need for sanctification.<\/span><\/p>\n Though we may be made righteous in Christ, a process called justification<\/strong>, we also need to be progressively conformed to the image of Christ, a part of our Christian life termed sanctification<\/strong>. Confusion and muddled thinking result when we lump together two different processes: Justification, which is through faith and faith alone. And sanctification which is a life-long process whereby we die to self, submit ourselves to God, renew our minds and work out our faith with fear and trembling.<\/span><\/p>\n Thirdly, we have to sit and walk before we can stand. <\/strong>We have to rest in the finished work of Christ, who defeated Satan at the cross, as well as walk in truth and righteousness before we can make a stand against the evil one.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The best summary <\/strong>of the book is the one that Nee provides at the end of the book:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe Christian life consists of sitting with Christ, walking by him and standing in him. We begin our spiritual life by resting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus. That rest is the source of our strength for a consistent and unfaltering walk in the world. And at the end of a grueling warfare with the hosts of darkness we are found standing with him at last in triumphant possession of the field\u201d (pg.78).<\/span><\/p>\n To conclude, the Christian faith should be seen as both passive<\/strong> (\u201csitting\u201d) and active<\/strong> (\u201cwalking\u201d and \u201cstanding\u201d). <\/span><\/p>\n To SIT <\/strong>is to know our position in Christ and rest in His finished work.<\/span><\/p>\n To WALK<\/strong> is to live a life pleasing to God, realising that we have been redeemed and blessed.<\/span><\/p>\n To STAND<\/strong> is to actively engage in spiritual battle against the evil one. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n FAITH: ACTIVE, NOT PASSIVE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt would not be difficult to point out at least twenty-five or thirty distinct passages in the Epistles where believers are plainly taught to use active personal exertion, and are addressed as responsible for doing energetically what Christ would have them do, and are not told to \u201cyield themselves\u201d up as passive agents and sit still, but to arise and work. A holy violence, a conflict, a warfare, a fight, a soldier\u2019s life, a wrestling, are spoken of as characteristic of the true Christian.\u201d<\/span> How do we walk in a manner befitting our high calling?<\/strong><\/span> In the second part of Ephesians<\/strong> (chapters 4-6<\/strong>), Paul stresses that, in view of our blessed position or standing in Christ, we need to respond by leading a life worthy of the high calling to which we have been called:<\/span><\/p>\n We must be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.<\/span><\/p>\n Having varied and distinctive gifts, we should work together to build up the body of Christ till all attain unity and maturity.<\/span><\/p>\n We need to put off the old nature and put on the new nature\u2014no longer be like the unregenerate who continue to live in sin as their minds are darkened and their hearts are hardened.<\/span><\/p>\n Let our anger be short-lived and let our words be positive and edifying. Bitterness and slander should be put away.<\/span><\/p>\n Thieves should stop stealing and engage themselves in honest jobs.<\/span><\/p>\n We should be kind and forgiving just as Christ forgave us.<\/span><\/p>\n We must not indulge in filthy talk or sexual immorality and avoid bad company as they might corrupt us.<\/span><\/p>\n We need to seek God\u2019s will and make the best use of our time.<\/span><\/p>\n Instead of being drunk, we should have a grateful attitude and be filled with Holy Spirit, encouraging others through psalms and hymns.<\/span><\/p>\n Our new status should also impact our family life. Husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the church. Wives should submit to their husbands. Children should honour their parents. Fathers should not exasperate their children but bring them up in the fear of God.<\/span><\/p>\n The way slaves (or employees) and masters (or employers) should behave and relate to one another is spelled out. The former should respect their bosses and serve them as if they were serving Christ. Bosses should treat their workers well, cognizant of the fact that God is Master over all.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n RELATED POSTS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Jesus\u2019 challenge to those who mean business with Him is this: \u201cWhoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me\u201d (Luke 9:23).<\/span><\/p>\n Yet, in another part of the Bible, we read that God has promised rest for His people and we should do our best to enter this place where we cease from our labours (Hebrews 4:1).<\/span><\/p>\n How are we to reconcile carrying a heavy burden\u2014like a cross\u2014with entering God\u2019s rest?<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n It is true that we receive God\u2019s grace (salvation) through faith, not works. But, then, what comes next? God is looking for fruit: Changed lives, repentance and obedience, all of which does not nullify at all the grace we receive by faith.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Believers who earnestly desire to be God\u2019s instruments must be prepared for satan\u2019s reprisals.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: Dr Lim Poh Ann is a medical practitioner. He was the former editor of Asian Beacon magazine (Dec 2008 \u2013 Oct 2011).\u00a0He can be reached at his\u00a0Facebook page<\/b>,\u00a0www.facebook.com\/AskDrLi <\/p>\n SOURCE OF ARTICLE:\u00a0http:\/\/limpohann.blogspot.my\/2017\/05\/sit-walk-stand.html<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n |Share The Good News|<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Dr Lim Poh Ann<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Isn\u2019t it good to know that the Christian life can be summarised in three words? \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":57703,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[416,5372,10190,5803,10189,7567],"class_list":{"0":"post-57696","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-inspirational","8":"tag-discipleship","9":"tag-dr-lim-poh-ann","10":"tag-knowing-our-position-in-christ","11":"tag-spiritual-battle","12":"tag-spiritual-discipline","13":"tag-the-christian-journey"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57696","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57696"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57696\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64695,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57696\/revisions\/64695"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57703"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57696"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57696"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57696"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"http:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/WALK-COUPLE.jpg\")
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\n\u2015\u00a0Dr Michael L. Brown<\/strong><\/span>
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\n<\/strong>OUR FAITH WALK<\/span> <\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0***<\/span><\/p>\n
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