Living for God’s Will: Our True Position in Christ
- Rich Wise
- Aug 14
- 8 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Every earthly title has an expiration date. Pastor, parent, leader, employee, citizen, owner, influencer, servant, sufferer—none of these is final. Scripture gives believers a stronger identity. In Christ, we have been raised and seated with Him in the heavenly places, according to Ephesians 2:6.
That is not a small comfort. It changes how we live now.
Our true position is not measured by status, attention, wealth, influence, or recognition. It is measured by our union with Christ. That position is secure because God has placed us in His Son. The Christian life grows from that truth: we live for God’s will because our life is already hidden with Christ in God.
Our True Citizenship is Already in Heaven
Paul writes that our citizenship is in heaven in Philippians 3:20. He does not describe a future possibility only. He names a present reality. Believers live on earth, but they belong to another kingdom.
This truth matters because earth constantly asks us to build our identity here. It asks us to prove ourselves. It rewards self-promotion. It trains people to ask:
Who knows me?
What rank do I hold?
How much influence do I have?
What have I achieved?
Who respects me?
Scripture asks a better question: Am I in Christ?
If the answer is yes, then the believer already has the position that matters most. Ephesians 1 says believers are blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:13 also teaches that believers are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. God does not give a fragile identity. He gives a sealed one.
This does not mean Christians ignore earthly duties. Paul still worked, taught, traveled, suffered, planted churches, and cared for people. It means those duties no longer define the person at the deepest level.
A believer may hold a high position, lose it, never receive it, or be misunderstood in it. None of that changes union with Christ. The world can remove a title. It cannot remove a person from Christ.
Jesus said in John 10 that His sheep are in His hand and the Father’s hand. No one can snatch them away. That is not poetic weakness. It is divine security.
Christ Laid Aside Glory and Took the Place of a Servant
The clearest pattern for humility is Jesus Himself.
Philippians 2:5-11 says Christ existed in the form of God, yet took the form of a servant. He humbled Himself in obedience, even to death on a cross. Then God highly exalted Him.
This passage does not mean Jesus stopped being divine. It means the eternal Son willingly took the low place for our salvation. The King came as a servant. The Lord of glory washed feet. The righteous One suffered for the unrighteous.
That pattern rebukes our craving for position.
Christ did not cling to visible honor. He obeyed the Father. He loved sinners. He endured shame. He gave Himself.
The Christian life must carry the same shape. We do not lay aside the world’s praise because humility is a personality type. We do it because Christ is Lord. We follow the One who went low before He was openly exalted.
The way of Christ is not self-exaltation followed by obedience. It is obedience under the Father’s hand, with exaltation given by God at the proper time.
This cuts deep. Much religious activity can still be driven by a desire to be seen. Giving, serving, teaching, singing, leading, posting, helping, and sacrificing can all become ways to seek a name.
God sees the heart. First Samuel 15:22 says the Lord delights in obedience more than sacrifice. The issue is not public service versus private service. The issue is surrender.
God wants the whole person.
Earthly Positions are Temporary, but Standing with God is Eternal
Earthly positions are not evil. God can use them. Joseph served in Egypt. Daniel served in Babylon. Esther stood in a palace. Lydia used her home for ministry. Paul used his Roman citizenship at key moments.
The danger comes when position becomes identity.
A title can become a throne in the heart. A gift can become a claim to importance. A platform can become a place of self-trust. Even ministry can become a way to build a name.
Christ frees us from that slavery.
If we are already seated with Him, we do not need to grasp for spiritual importance. If our citizenship is in heaven, we do not need earthly applause to confirm our worth. If God has called us into His kingdom and glory, as 1 Thessalonians 2:12 says, we can serve faithfully in hidden places.
This does not make effort pointless. It makes effort pure.
Paul says in 1 Timothy 4:10 that believers toil and strive because their hope is set on the living God. Hope fuels labor. It does not replace it. First Corinthians 15:58 says to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that labor in the Lord is not in vain.
That promise matters when obedience feels unseen.
A parent prays in secret.
A church member serves without thanks.
A believer resists sin when no one would know.
A friend speaks truth with patience.
A worker chooses honesty at personal cost.
A disciple keeps loving when love is not returned.
God sees it all. Hebrews 6:10 says God is not unjust to forget the work and love shown for His name. The reward may not come on our timeline. It will come from His hand.
Humility Trusts the Mighty Hand of God
First Peter 5:6 gives a clear command: humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time.
This verse joins two truths. God’s hand is mighty. God’s timing is proper.
Humility is not self-hatred. It is not denial of gifts. It is not weakness before people. Biblical humility means we take our rightful place before God. We stop trying to lift ourselves above His will. We trust His hand more than our own promotion.
The “mighty hand of God” is a phrase loaded with biblical history. God brought Israel out of Egypt with a mighty hand. He defended, judged, rescued, and provided. His hand is not passive. It is strong.
For believers, that hand is also safe. Jesus says no one can snatch His people from His hand. Paul says in Romans 8 that nothing in all creation can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So humility rests. It does not panic. It does not need to prove itself every hour. It does not quit when honor is delayed.
Peter adds, “at the proper time.” That timing belongs to God. He may lift a person now for service. He may keep a person hidden for years. He may allow suffering to refine faith. He will raise His people in glory with Christ.
Colossians 3:4 says when Christ, who is our life, appears, we also will appear with Him in glory. That is the full unveiling of the position believers already have in Him.
The Will of God Becomes the Aim of Life
Jesus lived in perfect obedience to the Father. In John 6:38, He says He came from heaven not to do His own will, but the will of the One who sent Him. In Gethsemane, He prayed for the Father’s will to be done.
Christ did not treat obedience as a side part of life. It was His path.
Believers are called to the same direction. Romans 12:1 urges Christians to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. That is worship. It is not limited to church gatherings. It includes speech, work, money, forgiveness, sexuality, service, endurance, and love.
God’s will is not vague in the parts He has revealed. Scripture commands believers to:
Love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength
Love neighbors as ourselves
Make disciples
Walk by the Spirit
Put sin to death
Pray without ceasing
Give thanks
Practice justice, mercy, and faithfulness
Bear witness to Christ
Do good, especially to the household of faith
The will of God also includes specific callings and circumstances. Not every believer has the same assignment. But every believer has the same Lord.
This gives purpose to ordinary faithfulness. The Christian does not need fame to matter. Obedience matters because God is worthy. Service matters because people need Christ. Endurance matters because resurrection is coming.
Second Timothy 2:10 shows Paul’s aim. He endured everything for the sake of the elect, so that they also might obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. That is a life poured out for God’s glory and the salvation of others.
That kind of life is not wasted.
We Make His Kingdom Known by Becoming Like Christ
The world often associates greatness with visibility. Jesus connects greatness with servanthood. In Mark 10, He says the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
That one sentence resets ambition.
Christian ambition is not ambition for self-display. It is a holy desire for God to be pleased, Christ to be known, and others to receive life in Him.
This means believers do not need to chase a name. God has already given them a name and place in Christ. They can speak of Christ without needing attention for themselves. They can serve without turning service into performance. They can suffer without assuming God has forgotten them.
The church becomes a living witness when believers live this way. A humble people point to a humble Savior. A steadfast people point to a faithful God. A people secure in Christ can spend themselves for others.
That witness carries weight because it matches the gospel. Christ gave Himself for us. Now we give ourselves to God for His will, His glory, and the good of others.
Exaltation Belongs to God and Will Come in Christ
The promise of exaltation is not a call to chase greatness by religious means. It is a call to trust God while walking low.
Christ has already been exalted. Every knee will bow to Him. Every tongue will confess that He is Lord. Those who belong to Him will share in His glory, not because they earned His throne, but because grace united them to Him.
This is why believers can stay the course. There is no need to lose heart. There is no need to compete for the highest seat. There is no need to be consumed by recognition.
The future is secure.
The Spirit seals believers. The Father holds them. The Son intercedes for them. The living God has saved them and called them into His kingdom and glory.
So the call is clear. Live for God’s will. Obey when seen and unseen. Serve without using service to build a name. Keep abounding in the work of the Lord. Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand.
The position that matters most is already yours in Christ. Walk in it now, and wait with confidence for the day God reveals it in glory.
Embracing Our Identity in Christ
Understanding our identity in Christ is vital. It shapes how we view ourselves and others. When we embrace this truth, we can live freely and joyfully. We no longer need to seek validation from the world. Instead, we find our worth in being children of God.
The Power of Community
Being part of a community is essential. We support one another in our journeys. Together, we encourage growth and share experiences. This community reflects the love of Christ. It reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles.
Serving with Purpose
Serving others is a beautiful expression of our faith. It allows us to share God's love in practical ways. Whether it's volunteering, helping a neighbor, or simply being there for a friend, every act of kindness matters. It shows the world what it means to live out our faith.
Growing in Faith
Faith is a journey. We grow through prayer, reading Scripture, and engaging with others. Each step we take brings us closer to God. We learn more about His character and His plans for our lives. This growth is a lifelong process, filled with joy and discovery.
Conclusion: Living Out Our Identity
As we walk in our identity in Christ, we can impact those around us. Our lives become a testimony of His grace and love. Let us embrace who we are in Him and share that with the world. Together, we can make a difference, reflecting the light of Christ in all we do.
In this journey, we can find strength and encouragement. We are not defined by our titles or achievements. Instead, we are defined by our relationship with Christ. Let us live boldly, knowing our true identity and purpose.
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