ling (Heb. 3:1), by citizenship
(Phil. 3:20), by inheritance (I Pet. 1:4) and by resurrection life (Eph.
2:6), as a member of that body of which the Head is actually in heaven.
The heavenly (or 'in heavenly _places_,') therefore, is the sphere of
the believer's present association with Christ. This is shown by the
constant context, 'in Christ Jesus.' The believer is now associated
with Christ in life (Col. 3:4; I Jno. 5:11, 12), position (Eph. 2:6),
suffering (Rom. 8:18; II Tim. 2:11, 12; Col. 1:24; Phil. 1:29); service,
(Jno. 17:18; Matt. 28:18-20), and betrothal (II Cor. 11:1-3).

"The believer is to be associated with Christ in Glory (Jno. 17:22; Rom.
8:18; Col. 3:4), inheritance (Rom. 8:17), authority (Matt. 19:28; Rev.
3:21), and marriage (Eph. 5:22, 33; Rev. 19:1-9).

"The believer's 'spiritual blessings' (Eph. 1:3), therefore, are to be
possessed or experienced only as he lives in the sphere of his joint
life, joint position, joint suffering, joint service and joint marriage
pledge with Christ. In so far as he lives as a natural man whose
interests are earthly, and avoids the path of co-service and (if need
be) co-suffering, he will know nothing experimentally of the exalted
blessings of Ephesians. 'It is sufficient that the servant be as his
Master.' Christ took account of Himself as a heavenly Being come down to
earth to do His Father's will." (Scofield Bible Correspondence Course,
Book 2; page 288.)

Thus it may be seen that the believer is not only a citizen of heaven,
but that he has also been brought into a position where many privileges
of the heavenly experience are open to him.

In like manner, the believer's position in relation to this world is not
only a separation from the world by nature and purpose; but he is also
said to be a stranger and a pilgrim among the inhabitants of this dark
age. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him
who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: which in
times past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had
not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I
beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which
war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the
Gentiles" (I Pet. 2:9-12). The same expression of "strangers and
pilgrims" is used, also, in regard to the faith descendants of Abraham: