Colossians 3:1-4 “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Verse 1
“If then, you have been raised with Christ...”
I don't think this “if” indicated uncertainty, but that is means “since” or “because”
It does not say “you will be” when Christ returns, but that it is something that has already happened
What does it mean that Christians have been raised with Christ?
It is pointing to our justification and sanctification
The old self is destroyed, and the Christian becomes a new creature (regeneration)
It is a permanent state of life in Christ
It is a permanent state of life with Christ – a unity with him. He died to accomplish our justification, so that our sins would be forgiven. He did it so we would have the Holy Spirit and be sanctified. We are united with him and share with all he accomplished for us!
“Keep seeking the things above...”
Because we have been raised up, we keep seeking the things above
Notice he does not say “start seeking” but “keep seeking.” It is something that has already begun
What does it mean to seek?
To look for – but to possess it, not to observe it. What is your goal, your treasure that you are trying to get?
What are these things above?
Wisdom, instruction, understanding
Treasures in heaven
Matthew 6:19-18 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
His Kingdom and His righteousness
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Spiritual virtues – to be like Jesus
Colossians 3:12 “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience...”
“Where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God...”
Me being joined with Christ means that I am there too, in Christ
What is the significance of him being seated?
He finished his work!
Verse 2
“Set your mind on the things that are above, not on things that are on earth...”
We are told not only to seek these things, but to think about these things
Can we control our thoughts?
Yes. Maybe not perfectly, but to a large extent we control what we think about
Sometimes we have to think about our jobs and things that are going on, but we also must make a deliberate effort to think about certain things. We can direct our minds to certain thought patterns and topics
We can't always control what thoughts pop into our minds, but this is part of the battle. We have to reject sinful thoughts. We can't keep things from coming in but we can control what stays.
2 Corinthians 10:5 “...take every thought captive to obey Christ...”
Philippians 4:8 “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind...”
How can we prevent ourselves from being conformed to this world? By controlling our thoughts – not giving in to our natural inclinations and the way of the world.
We have to constantly refill our minds with truth or the devil will fill it with error
Are we thinking about the temporal issues, or are we thinking about the unseen, the eternal things?
Verse 3
“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God...”
In what sense are Christians dead?
The old nature is dead. We are not dead physically or spiritually, but the “old man” is dead
You have died to that old life you had! You are not the way you used to be anymore!
We can still commit sin, but the old enjoyment of sin is gone
We are dead to the law
We are dead to the world
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me...”
What does it mean that are lives are with Christ?
We have life through him – if there was no Christ, we would still be dead in sin
Philippians 1:21 “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.”
John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life...”
Our lives are wrapped up in him – not food, jobs, earthly pleasures. We get our sustenance from Christ.
John 15:4 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”
Jesus does not give us a squirt of eternal life and send us on our way. We are connected with him, living off of him
This is a real test – if your life is not all about Christ, you are not a Christian
In what way is this hidden?
It is mysterious – what has happened to us is mysterious to the world
It is not a physically visible thing, but it is spiritual
It is a security – no one on earth can harm you because you are with Christ
John 10:28 “No will can snatch them out of my hand...”
Exodus 33:22 “And while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed.”
It is also hidden from us in a sense – we cannot fully grasp the glory of it all!
Verse 4
“When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
When will Christ be revealed/appear?
His second coming
1 John 3:2 “Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”
Revelation 1:7 “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all the tribes of the earth will wail on account of him.”
The very people who persecuted him will see him and see that he is who he says he is
Is Christ hidden now?
He is to unbelievers, but he has been revealed to believers by faith
But he will be revealed fully and we will see him face to face!
It is not just Jesus that will be revealed, but Christians will too
We will be publicly unveiled
In that moment it will be revealed and identified whether your life really was in Christ or not
We know there will be many who will be shocked
Matthew 7:22-23 “On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prohpesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you...'”
When Jesus is being revealed in all his glory, we will be there with him. It is like he wants to share that moment with us – he alone is worthy of glory and recognition, but he will put us on display with him. “Here is my bride, without any spot or blemish.”
View everything through the final revelation of Christ in glory! Look to this big glory that is coming
Romans 8:18 “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
No comments:
Post a Comment