CANAAN

It is difficult to define the Canaan position. It is not heaven. It is not pure Christian privilege, because there is the thought of responsibility and conflict. It seems to represent the present position of saints while down here still in the flesh and blood condition, but walking in the light of Christ glorified at the right hand of God and of the purpose of God as displayed in Christ, and having the Spirit, capacitated to enjoy in measure the consciousness of living association with Christ in His place as man before God. Thus to participate in heavenly joys and service before going there actually, in the knowledge of our relationship to divine Persons. Yet being still in the body and in human relationships we are responsible to maintain a manner of life in keeping with this heavenly calling, as it says, to walk worthy of the calling. Also to maintain faithfully the testimony of the Lord in the face of Satanic opposition. It is an out-of-the-world heavenly position.

Of course there are responsibilities connected with our wilderness condition. Romans, Colossians and Ephesians give us the responsibilities connected with the heavenly position, answering to Deuteronomy.

From Goodly Words vol 7 (1929)