The Bible declares that everyone born into this world is dead as a result of Adam’s (the first man) disobedience to God. To the glory of God, those who decide to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, are no more dead in sins but made alive in Christ.
“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;). And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:5-6)
The ‘risen man’ is the one who is raised together with Jesus Christ to sit in heavenly places. ‘Man,’ as used in the Scriptures and in this discourse, refers to a human being of either sex.
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-3)
Every believer must have this understanding and be conscious of this transformation to enjoy the benefits of Christianity. Many have rejected the free gift of eternal life which Jesus Christ offers out of love; so they are still in a dead state, enslaved to sin and far from God’s plan for their lives. The grace of salvation is for everyone but millions of people have rejected it.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” (Titus 2:11)
Those who have accepted the free gift of salvation, by the power of the resurrection, are new creatures; living the life of God (2Corinthians 5:17). The risen man – Reasons with God; Invests in God’s Kingdom; Searches the scriptures daily; Enjoys supernatural life and Never turns back. Let’s take a look at these characteristics.
Reasons with God
Another word for ‘reason’ according to The Oxford Languages Dictionary is ‘think’. This implies putting one’s mind to work. The Bible tells us that God thinks and His thoughts are higher than that of humankind.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
God knows that His thoughts are not earthly but above only, so He invited humankind to come and reason with Him – “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord…” (Isaiah 1:18). Those who accept this invitation, begin to experience a transformation in their thinking pattern because there is a mind transplant receiving the mind of Christ.
“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16)
Just as eagles that fly at high altitudes and not with low-flying birds like sparrows or other small birds, the risen man thinks of operating at high altitude in the spirit realm, in business and other life endeavours. The believer thinks in line with Philippians 4:8:
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Invests in God’s Kingdom
The risen man makes God’s Kingdom a priority; pursuing the interest of the kingdom with all amount of zeal and passion. Bishop David Oyedepo always shares his testimony about the revelation he got from Matthew 6:33 and ever since he got this revelation, his life has moved from glory to glory having a global impact. Those who are addicted to God’s Kingdom service never lack God’s blessings.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)
We can seek God’s Kingdom by passionately interceding for the body of Christ’; using our skills, gifts and talents to serve God; sowing seeds to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ and leading lost souls to Christ.
Searches the Scriptures Daily
One way to reason with God is to meditate on His word. The Author of the Bible – the Holy Spirit, is an embodiment of God’s wisdom. The risen man taps this wisdom by feeding on God’s word daily. By so doing, he or she continues to walk in line with the principles of God and enjoys sound spiritual, emotional and physical health.
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Enjoys Supernatural Life
Pastor David Ibiyeomie defines supernatural life as a life characterized by the power to act or influence events in the natural world from the supernatural. The risen man is superior to natural happenings by virtue of his or her position. The believer must be conscious of this truth daily. As a believer, you are seated with Christ in heavenly places, far above all other powers.
“Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.” (Ephesians 1:20-21)
The risen man enjoys supernatural health, speed, favour, success, victory, strength, abundance and so on. Hallelujah!
Never Turns Back
The risen man is focused on things above only and never turns back to his or her old ungodly and worldly ways or lifestyle – And Jesus said unto him, no man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62). Every affection on earthly things dies completely. The Apostle Paul admonishes us to set our affection on things above because it is dangerous to turn back as was this case of Lot’s wife (Genesis 19:26).
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-3)
Let’s remember that it is the risen man that will be caught up in the air with Christ during the first phase of His second coming. If you are yet to surrender your life to Christ so you can enjoy the inheritance of the risen man, say this prayer of salvation: Lord Jesus, I desire to be risen with You. From today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. I believe that You died and rose again to save me. Forgive my sins and fill me with Your Spirit of holiness. I declare that I am born again! Amen!
Sunday Omori
HEM Int'l 