Visual Theology – Ephesians

The Visual Theology charts are designed to help you see the structure and movement of Scripture. They highlight patterns, contrasts, and developments that are often difficult to hold together when reading line by line.

These charts show the structure of the argument. The accompanying articles develop each part in full.

This approach follows a long tradition of visual teaching in the Church. The well-known charts of Clarence Larkin helped many grasp the broad outline of Scripture. In the same spirit, these charts aim to make visible what the Word of God is revealing.

Charts and teaching notes for the book of Ephesians. Select a chart below to view the image and article.

Chart

Position in Christ vs. Earthly Condition

Click chart to view larger

From the teaching in: EPHESIANS: THE VISION OF BETHEL FOR THE ISRAEL OF GOD (Vol 1: The Foundation of the House)

Ephesians 1:3-14

Position in Christ vs. Earthly Condition

Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Chosen, Accepted, Redeemed in Christ

This chart shows the structure. What follows explains each part.

Ephesians 1:3-14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace, wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

The Vital Truth: Position in Christ vs. Earthly Condition

A vital truth for the Christian life is the distinction between our position in Christ and our earthly condition. Ephesians 1:3-14 reveals "positional truths"—realities God declares true of us, independent of our circumstances. We are chosen in Christ (Ephesians 1:4), predestined for adoption (Ephesians 1:5), accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6), redeemed and forgiven through His blood (Ephesians 1:7), and sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14). These are not goals but accomplished facts, based entirely on Christ's finished work, not our merit.

Our position is unchanging—it is how God views us and the source of our identity. In contrast, our condition fluctuates with feelings, circumstances, and failures. Believers often feel their acceptance with God rises and falls with performance, but Scripture declares our position secure: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

Closing the Gap Between Truth and Experience

The gap between our position in Christ and our daily experience is real. Our condition is affected by the world and our flesh, but God calls us to anchor our hearts in positional truth—the gospel of what He has done for us in Christ. Christian power flows from believing God’s word, not from self-effort. “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing” (Romans 15:13). Joy and peace come from faith in the gospel, not favorable circumstances.

Colossians 1:12-14 states the Father “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” This deliverance is a positional fact, defining our true situation even when experience suggests otherwise.

The Struggle and the Gospel's Answer

Many believers tie their joy and peace to their condition, questioning God’s love when things go wrong. But the gospel declares our standing settled. Christ has “blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us” (Colossians 2:14). The law shows our inability, but the gospel proclaims righteousness is credited to faith, not works (Romans 4:5).

Therefore, the Christian life is not about striving to fix our condition to gain approval, but about living by faith in what is true of us in Christ. As we believe these truths, joy and peace transform our outlook. We are called to “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10), looking away from ourselves to our position.

Growing in Spiritual Understanding

To enjoy our position, we need spiritual understanding. God has “abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will” (Ephesians 1:8-9). As we grasp His purpose to sum all things in Christ, our hearts are anchored in joy.

Summary

Our position in Christ is secure, complete, and unchanging. Our variable condition does not define us. Joy and peace flow from focusing on what God has accomplished in Christ, not from our efforts. This is the heart of the gospel and the foundation for a life of praise (Ephesians 1:6).

Orientation

Many believers mistakenly believe their standing with God fluctuates based on their daily performance, feelings, or circumstances.

Your feelings are part of your changing earthly condition, not your fixed position
God establishes your identity based on Christ's finished work, not your merit
Safety is found in God's declaration rather than your personal progress

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
— Romans 5:1

Clarification

We must distinguish between our unchanging spiritual position in the heavenly places and our fluctuating condition on earth.

Position is an accomplished fact; condition is a daily experience
Acceptance is not a goal to be achieved but a gift already granted in the Beloved
Failure in your condition does not revoke your sealed position in Christ

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
— Ephesians 1:6

Structure

The biblical logic of the Christian life flows from believing what God says is true of us regardless of what we see.

God justifies the ungodly by faith, not by improving their earthly behavior
The Holy Spirit serves as the earnest or guarantee of an inheritance already obtained
Christian power is accessed through faith in the Word, not through self-effort

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
— Ephesians 1:13-14

Weight-Bearing Prose

The believer exists in two simultaneous realities: a perfect position in Christ and a fluctuating condition in the flesh. Pauline theology asserts that God has already blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. This is not a reward for maturity but a positional reality granted at the moment of faith. When we focus on our earthly condition—our failures, emotions, and struggles—we lose sight of the objective peace established by justification.

The gospel addresses the ‘handwriting of ordinances’ that was against us by blotting it out entirely. We are no longer defined by the law’s demands but by our identification with Christ’s death and resurrection. The gap between our experience and our position is closed not by striving to be better, but by anchoring the heart in the ‘word of truth.’ Our seal is the Holy Spirit, a permanent mark of ownership that remains regardless of our earthly fluctuations. True spiritual power is the result of the God of hope filling the believer with joy and peace through the simple act of believing His record.

Integration

Your security rests entirely on the Person of Christ, not on the stability of your walk. God has already translated you into the kingdom of His dear Son, a fact that remains true even when you feel distant or defeated. There is no pressure to perform for an acceptance you already possess.

Rest in the assurance that you are chosen, redeemed, and forgiven according to the riches of His grace. As you look away from your own efforts and toward the finished work of Christ, you will find a stabilizing peace. Christ is your righteousness, your sanctification, and your reward.

Every chart in this series is free to explore online.

Get the full chart set (PDF – $8)

Members get all PDFs included → Why Membership

If you would like to help fund this work:

$5 $10 $25

Name your price

These charts are based on the following books:

EPHESIANS: THE VISION OF BETHEL FOR THE ISRAEL OF GOD (Vol 1: The Foundation of the House)

Are you ready to move beyond a surface-level reading of Ephesians into the very heart of God's eternal plan. In The Foundation of the House, author David Benjamin unveils the book of Ephesians not as a mere list of bl...

View Related Book

Ephesians: The Bethel of the Israel of God - Vol 2: Building with Sword in Hand

Volume 2 of the Ephesians commentary: from Ephesians 4:1 onward—the worthy walk as attentiveness, not performance. For the beaten sheep outside the institutional church.