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.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than a...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows i...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ...
Read more