How different has your life been since you came to know Jesus Christ? That is what our reading is all about today. In these verses Paul reminds the Colossian Christians that there ought to have been a difference in their lives since they came to Christ, because of their position in him. NOTICE four facts concerning our position in Christ and then think of what they mean: 1. We died with Christ (see Colossians 2:12). 2. We are raised with Christ (see Colossians 3:1). 3. We are hidden in Christ (see Colossians 3:3). 4. We shall appear with Christ (see Colossians 3:4). Each of these points can be carefully studied. The first point says that we died with Christ (as seen in our baptism). What does that mean? We are not dead physically but our old nature is seen as dead in God's sight. We are separated from the world by the blood of Christ. But we are very much alive in Christ. Paul says in Galatians 2:20 that he had been crucified with Christ, yet he was also alive in Christ. The life he now lived was really Christ living in him. That is just as true of us today. Paul also says in verse 2 that we should set our minds on things above. The word seek could be translated 'strive after'. Life on a higher plane is never automatic. It is only experienced as we earnestly desire it. What are the things which are above? Here are several suggestions. The place called heaven where Christ is today is a place of holiness, intercession and power. Are these the things which we should be seeking after? Those are not the natural characteristics of any man here on earth, unless Christ has come into his life. But if Christ has come into our hearts, then these are the things he will be looking for in us and which the Holy Spirit will want to reproduce in our lives. Could we ask Christ today to help us turn our eyes toward him and let the things of earth grow dim in the light of his glorious face? |
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