Which Chair Are You Sitting In? A Spiritual Journey of Choices

Have you ever considered that your spiritual life could be compared to sitting in a chair? It's an intriguing metaphor that invites us to reflect on our relationship with God. In this journey of faith, we're all occupying one of three spiritual chairs: Friend of God, Acquaintance of God, or Enemy of God. Let's explore what each of these chairs represents and consider where we truly sit in our spiritual walk.
The Friend of God Chair
Imagine sitting close beside your best friend—sharing daily conversations, exchanging secrets, and basking in mutual love. This is what friendship with God looks like. Those who occupy this chair experience a deep, intimate relationship with the Creator of the universe.
John 15:14-15 beautifully captures this concept: "You are my friends if you do what I command..." Friends of God, like Moses and Abraham, walked in close communion with Him. They trusted and obeyed, understanding that "The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant" (Psalm 25:14).
What sets apart those in the Friend chair?

1. Intimacy with God: They converse with Him regularly and deeply.
2. Trust and Obedience: They align their will with God's.
3. Confidence in Prayer: They approach God boldly, knowing He listens.
4. Separation from the World: They prioritize holiness over worldliness.
5. Purpose and Calling: God entrusts them with divine missions.

The challenge for those in this chair is to continually deepen their relationship. God always has more to reveal and accomplish through His friends.
The Acquaintance Chair
Now, picture a distant cousin you see once or twice a year. You're family, but there's little closeness or shared life. This represents the Acquaintance chair—those who know God, but don't truly walk closely with Him.
The apostle Paul addressed this spiritual state in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3: "But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh."
Characteristics of the Acquaintance chair include:

1. Saved but Struggling: They've accepted Christ but still walk in the flesh.
2. Occasional Fellowship: Their interaction with God is limited, often just to Sunday mornings.
3. Spiritual Immaturity: Jealousy, division, and apathy mark their walk.
4. Worldly Influence: They remain tied to worldly patterns and thinking.

The danger of this chair is its comfort. It's easy to become lukewarm, as described in Revelation 3:16. The call for those in the Acquaintance chair is to move closer, to deepen their relationship with God and grow in spiritual maturity.
The Enemy of God Chair
The final chair represents those who are actively apart from God. Romans 5:10 reminds us of this state: "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life."
Those in the Enemy chair are characterized by:

1. Rejection of Christ: They're not neutral, but actively opposed to God.
2. Love for the World: They prioritize sin, self, or status over God.
3. Spiritual Death: They're separated from the source of life.
4. Under God's Wrath: Without Christ, they remain subject to judgment.

This chair represents a state of tension, distrust, and separation from God. It's the natural condition of every soul before encountering Christ's transforming love.
The Power of Choice
The beauty of this metaphor lies in the power of choice. We're not permanently fixed to any chair. The story of Larry Walters, a truck driver who achieved his dream of flying by attaching weather balloons to a lawn chair, illustrates the extraordinary lengths people will go to pursue their desires. How much more should we be willing to move towards God?
Joshua 24:15 presents us with a pivotal challenge: "Choose this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." This decision impacts not only our lives but potentially generations to come.
The book of Judges illustrates this generational impact. After Joshua's generation, "there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel. And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals" (Judges 2:10-11). Our spiritual position can influence the faith of those who follow us.
The Good News: Changing Chairs is Possible
The heart of the Gospel is that no one is stuck in their chair. Romans 5:8 proclaims, "God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The cross of Christ makes friendship with God possible for everyone.
For those in the Enemy chair, there's an invitation to reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:19 declares that "in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them." Through faith in Jesus, we can move from being God's enemies to His friends.
For those in the Acquaintance chair, there's a call to deeper commitment. It's time to shake off spiritual laziness and renew your walk with God. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).
Even those in the Friend chair are challenged to go deeper. God always has more to reveal and accomplish through those who walk closely with Him.
A Call to Reflection
As we conclude this journey through the three chairs, it's time for honest reflection. Where are you truly sitting in your relationship with God?
Are you walking with Him daily in deep friendship? Are you drifting as a mere acquaintance, showing up occasionally but never truly engaging? Or are you, perhaps, still positioned as God's enemy, having never fully embraced His offer of reconciliation through Christ?
The beautiful truth is that no matter where you sit today, you have the power to choose. Will you move closer to God? Will you accept His invitation to friendship? The chair you choose today will shape not only your life but potentially the spiritual legacy you leave for generations to come.
Remember, in the journey of faith, it's not about perfection—it's about direction. Choose today to move towards the Friend chair, drawing ever closer to the God who loves you and desires intimate fellowship with you.