It's fair to say that the theme he concisely addresses in this small book is much neglected today. For the press of technological life with its bustle and speed is such that we can forget that present life, so 'real' to us, is temporary (2 Cor 4.18) and as in the first century, 'the form [Greek, "schema"] of the world is passing away' (1Cor 7.31).
It's easy to read this work and though it has 20 chapters, they are short and pithy. However, reading it requires a meditative attitude so as to allow the Spirit to work on our hearts.
The Structure of the Book
The Christian is enthroned with Christ (chapter 9), is the major theme of the book.After two introductory chapters (1 & 2), chapters 3 to 8 present the 'negative' side of Christ's salvation; namely, what we are saved from: condemnation, legalism, Sinai, old creation, darkness.
Chapters 10-20 detail how we are to realise or grasp hold of this great salvation we have already received in union with Christ Jesus.
1. Getting under way
2. The meaning of position (Col 3.3; Eph 2.4-6, 1.3)
3. The Christian's position: No condemnation (Rom 5.17, 8.1)
4. No condemnation -- a continuation (1Jn 1.7. See Phillips' trans. Eph 1.6)
5. Not a legal position (Col 2.14; Rom 6.14, 7.4; Gal 5.1)
6. Not Sinai but Calvary (Gal 3.13)
7. Not the ground of the old creation (Rm 5.17-19)
8. The Christian delivered from the power of darkness (Col 1.13)
9. The Christian enthroned with Christ (Rm 5.17)
10. It must be a revelation
The apostle specifically tells us that comprehending our position in Christ as reigning with Him comes by revelation (Eph 1.15-21). It's not just an intellectual understanding but must be ultimately a revelation by and in the Spirit.
11. It is a faith position
'Faith is the substance [hypostasis (Grk) or reality] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen' (Heb 1.1). The two major clauses are in parallel and help us to understand what is being said.
12. Not without the cross (Rom 6.2-8)
13. The throne and the Christian's walk (2 Peter 1.2-4; Gal 2.20)
14. Paul bids us sit and then to walk
First 'sit' with Christ (Eph 2.6), then 'walk' (Eph 4.1): the point being that God's action in seating us with Christ precedes our worthy walk according to our calling as Christ's own.
15. Thrones are for government
Matt 16.19; Mark 11.23 ['mountain' in scripture often symbolises 'authority, rulership']
16. Thrones are for war
Eph 6.10-17
17. You have arrived
Heb 12.18-24 A most neglected section of holy scripture.
18. An old testament type
2 Sam 9, the case of Mephibosheth who although a natural enemy of David's (being a grandson of Saul) was allowed to eat at David's table for the sake of his father, Jonathan.
19. Does it work?
We will still have hard times when our actual position in Christ will seem like a dream.
20. The throne a cross
His cross led to the throne and his throne leads back to the cross. The two go together. In this life we will never get beyond the cross (Gal 2.20).
(If you can get a used copy of Reigning With Christ, I highly recommend it. My one quibble is that Huegel is overly focussed on the individual Christian and doesn't emphasise enough the corporate nature of being a member of the Universal Church.)
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