Some things are just, simply beneath us!

"That..God...may give you the spirit...that ye may know...what is the exceeding greatness of his power..which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named...in this world...(and)...in that which is to come: and hath put all things under his feet..." - Parts of Ephesians 1:17-22 (KJV)

Those in Christ have no problem believing that Jesus is now above all authorities, powers, and kingdoms, both good and evil, but it is the next verse we need to understand!

God...hath quickened us together with Christ...and hath raised us up together, and hath made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" - Ephesians 2:4-6 (KJV)

If Jesus is seated next to the Father, with all dominions under his feet, AND we are seated with him then, obviously, we would have God's ear and are also above those same dominions. We are NOT the victims of our circumstances, but the victors.

Maybe this is why Paul describes himself, in Ephesians 3:1, NOT as a prisoner of Rome (where he happened to be in chains) but, instead, a "the prisoner of Jesus Christ...". It wasn't the guard keeping him there, it was Jesus. For grins, read Acts 12:1-25. Paul happened to be in Jerusalem at the time and saw it all happen.

Never again shall I say I am doing well under the circumstances! I am doing well over those circumstances for I am seated with Christ.

- Fritz

Patrikin - Related through The Father (God): Depends on what the meaning of "is" is.