We may be living here but our true life is in Christ. Colossians 3
3 SINCE, THEN (accepted as fact), you have been raised with Christ, SET YOUR HEARTS ON THINGS ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST IS, seated at the right hand of God. 2 SET YOUR MINDS ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON EARTHLY THINGS. 3 FOR YOU DIED, AND YOUR LIFE IS NOW HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD.
This is a Powerful Statement, ‘we died and our Life is now hidden (not yet visible) with Christ in God’. Paul says that this should determine the focus of our hearts and minds, yet many believers still live in the present, as if this was all. Our lives here are only a preparation for the future and we should live with that in mind. Everything we see is passing.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
WE MAY NEED TO PROCLAIM AND SPEAK THESE TRUTHS OVER OUR LIVES UNTIL THEY BECOME REAL TO US.
Paul goes on to say, because our lives are now hidden in Christ we should;
5 PUT TO DEATH, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, SINCE YOU HAVE (already done it) TAKEN OFF YOUR OLD SELF WITH ITS PRACTICES 10 and AND HAVE PUT ON THE NEW SELF, which is being renewed in knowledge (still being renewed) in the image of its Creator.
Paul begins with a list of negatives, things we should put off to live the New Life in Christ. Many of us read the things listed as if they apply to someone else, but they are written for us today. We have to put them off as well. Some of the most powerful moves of the Spirit have taken place where believers came together to confess their sins to one another. We’re much less likely to repeat what we know we going to confess to others.
11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but CHRIST IS ALL AND IS IN ALL.
There are no divisions in Christ and there’s only one body, but the flesh and the devil always seek to divide believers.
Paul continues with another list of positive things we should be doing (if the Church took these seriously there wouldn’t be divisions);
12 Therefore, as GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE, HOLY AND DEARLY LOVED, CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 BEAR WITH EACH OTHER AND FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER if any of you has a grievance against someone. FORGIVE AS THE LORD FORGAVE YOU. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Paul commands the Colossians to live in Peace and be thankful;
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of ONE BODY YOU WERE CALLED TO PEACE. And be thankful.
We need to keep these words in our hearts today, to help us to live as true members of Christ here on earth.
God bless and keep you today.
