Walk-Stand-Sit (Default Christianity)

Default Christianity is what I revert towards naturally. It is the reason the whole life of a Christian must be one of repentance. Nordis Christenson said about the Christian life, "It's just so daily!"

I had the chance to run through the book of Ephesians again with a group here at Trinity. Watchman Nee's book again proved valuable at summarizing Paul's message:

Ephesians 1-3 "Sit"

Ephesians 4-6.9 "Walk"

Ephesians 6.10-24 "Stand"

"For Christianity begins not with a big DO, but with a big DONE. Thus Ephesians opens with the statement that God has "blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (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." (Nee, 2). In relating to God our position is sitting.

In relating to the world and others, our position is walking. As our position in Christ Jesus is secure, our position in this world and with others is transformed. We can "walk in a manner worthy of the calling" (Ephesians 4.1). We are to "no longer walk" in the old way we used to walk (Ephesians 4.17). We can "walk in love, as Christ loved us" (Ephesians 5.2).

In relating to the enemy of our souls, our position is standing. Like Nee reminds us, not fighting or marching, but standing in the decisive victory already won for us by Jesus, we fight from victory, not for victory.

I don't think you will regret reading the whole little book called Sit, Walk, Stand from Watchman Nee (the first chapter is available online PDF for free.)

Sitting, then walking, then standing is not only the structure of Ephesians, but also the structure of the Christian life. Our walk and taking our stand is empowered only by our sitting. Sitting is not a reward for a well-fought battle or a successfully completed project. Sitting is the pre-emptive rich resourcing of the Trinity into our pervasive poverty before we even take a step or take our stand. Grace first!

Here is the problem for most Christians (present company included), our default isn't sit, walk, stand. Our default is walk, stand, sit. This messes everything up. 

Our position in Christ becomes co-opted by proving, pushing, grasping, working and walking. No wonder so many of us are spiritually exhausted, after being on the religious hamster wheel for who knows how long. We think the Almighty Work-a-holic is chirping, "faster, more consistent, better, try harder, walk faster, resolve more, move it!" Really, our Brother is saying, "Sit up here with me, beloved. You don't have to prove a thing. All has been accomplished. Father chose you a long time ago, and I don't mean to ever let you go."

Our default position in this world looks and sounds more like a stand than a walk. Judging by the titles of many of our organizations which engage with society, Christians have become the most defensive people around. When the world around us thinks of the church they don't think of open hands and beautiful feet bringing good news to marriage, and family, and work, and every other vocation (Ephesians 4-the beginning of 6). They think of clenched fists and planted feet. Let's walk again church! Breeze through the byways humming a gospel tune.

Our default position with the enemy is really dangerous. Why do we grant Satan a sitting? We are so busy working for God, we don't sit and listen, hear and trust God (faith comes by hearing, Romans 10.17). Yet, we sit and listen, hear and trust the whispers of the liar (faith comes by hearing him too)? We believe his old condemnations and are immobilized by his threats. The old Puritan (help me remember which one) said something like, "Don't believe the Devil even when he is telling you the truth." Here is where we take our stand, like Jesus in the wilderness, and unlike Adam and Eve in the garden. We don't have to listen to the liar, because we have listened to the "it is written."

Sit

Walk

Stand

Not, walk, stand, and sit.