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.

 

There are three events that shape the lives of every Christian: the death of Christ, the resurrection of Christ, and the return of Christ.  These three events impact the way we live in the present because they give us a correct perspective on both the past and the future.  

 

SEEK HEAVENLY THINGS: The resurrection of Christ is a first fruits of the resurrection meaning that it is also our resurrection.  All who have placed their faith in Christ are given new life in Him.  We are no longer dead spiritually but have been made alive by the power of the Holy Spirit that indwells us.  Because of this new life we have new desires in our hearts that cause us to seek those things that are above.  Christ is at the right hand of the Father and has left us with a mission to accomplish for His glory.  That mission has given us new life and means that we are now active participants in that mission to impart new lift to others for His glory.

 

THINK HEAVENLY THOUGHTS: Just as we participate in the resurrection of Christ we participate in His death.  By faith, our old sinful self was sentenced to death.  That does not mean that it does not still affect us; it means it no longer has power over us.  The state of our sinful self is eternally settled.  It is dead.  We are now in Christ and the Father no longer sees our sin and will never condemn us for our sin.  It has already been condemned in Christ and sentenced to death by crucifixion.  The execution has taken place so the sentence has been carried out.  Worldly and ungodly thinking should have no place in our lives.  Our thoughts should be centered on the Lord and His will and desire for our lives.

 

HAVE HEAVENLY HOPE: Christ died, rose again, and is returning to rule and reign for eternity.  When that happens, we will see Jesus in all His glory.  The spiritual realities of our death and resurrection will become physical realities and we will share in His glory.  This is the ultimate hope of the Gospel and is what we long to experience.  Until that happens, we will continue to seek and think heavenly things and thoughts.  We will engage fully in His mission that there might be people of all nations sharing in and contributing to His glory.

 

APPLICATION: Make sure the affections of our hearts are centered on the resurrected Christ.  Consider the sinful man with which we were born dead and powerless to reign over us.  Take hope in the glorious return of Christ.

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