24.078 | You Have Been Raised With Christ | Col 3:1-4 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

Text: Colossians 3:1-4 ESV

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

- Col 3:1-4 ESV

YOU HAVE BEEN RAISED WITH CHRIST

Paul's use of "if" here is not really a question, but an assumption. He writes for those who are saved by faith in Christ. Appropriately, their goal was to live with an eternal perspective rather than a focus on the rules and regulations of this world. We live because Jesus lives. Christians are to set their minds above, because that is where Christ is. Christ didn’t remain in the grave—He is at God's right hand. This was the consistent teaching of Jesus, and of the early church (see Luke 22:69; Acts 2:33; 5:31; 1 Peter 3:22).

The "things of the earth" are associated with ungodly activities. This does not mean that believers should ignore all earthly concerns completely. It does, however, mean that believers ought to give their time and attention to things pleasing to God, rather than things pleasing to men. Or, using the things in this world as means to glorify God.

Why?

We have died and live in Christ. This metaphor that a believer has "died" to sin, in the sense of being separated from it. Thus, his life is "hidden," or "contained" within Christ. Let’s remember that Christ is not only the giver and sustainer of life (Colossians 1:16); Christ is our life [v.4]

And that we will appear with Him in glory. There is an anticipation to Christ’s return at any moment. This is a subject both consistent and clear through the New Testament. When Christ "appears," believers will be with Him in glory (1 Thess 4:13–18; 1 John 3:2).

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