AM Bible Study Group; April 10, 2013
Colossians 3:1-4
Theme: The kind of life we live is to be forever changed by the fact of our having raised with the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version; copyright 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
We have just recently celebrated Easter. But the event of Jesus’ resurrection isn’t something to celebrate once a year, and then ignore. Jesus’ resurrection is a life-changing, transforming, soul-saving, historic event that should be experienced by us every moment of every day for the rest of our lives—and then, forever in heaven!
One of the great truths that the apostle Paul wanted to stress to the Colossian believers was that they had been, by faith, so united to Jesus in his death, burial, and resurrection, that, as far as God was concerned, they have been “put to death” with Him on the cross, and were now “raised from the dead” together with Him to new life (see Colossians 2:11-14). But though this is a work of God, it still remains our responsibility to “so walk” in Him as we “have received” him. His death, burial, and resurrection are to make a radical change in everything about our daily life-style practices.
I. WE’RE TO BE DRIVEN BY A WHOLE NEW SET OF DESIRES (V. 1).
A. Paul writes, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.” The verb “seek”, in the original language, refers to ‘pursuing’ or ‘endeavoring to obtain’ something with deep desire. As resurrected beings, we have new desires; and those desires will be centered on the Person of Jesus Christ, and where He now sits. The phrase “the right hand of God” is meant to convey the idea of the place of highest honor and authority (Hebrews 1:3-4) and of complete victory (Psalm 110:1). Living the resurrection life means our desires and priorities are now to be centered on Jesus Christ, seated at the right hand of God where His work for us is complete, and God’s complete favor toward us is obtained. This means that He is to be our first and greatest love (Matthew 10:37- 38), the advancement of His kingdom is to be our highest priority (Matthew 6:33), and conformity to His purposes for us is to be our greatest passion (Philippians 3:13-14).
B. This doesn’t mean that we don’t concern ourselves with the matters of this life. But it means that those things now no longer occupy first place in our hearts. It means that we are ready to give up all things for Him. And this isn’t just for a little while. The way Paul puts it, we are to continually live a resurrection life in that we’re to “keep seeking the things above”.
II. WE’RE TO BE THINKING IN A WHOLE NEW FRAME OF MIND (v. 2).
A. Paul writes, “Set your mind on things above, not to on things on the earth.” He is speaking of an attitude, or of a way of thinking—using the same word he uses in Philippians 2:5; where he says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus . . ." We’re to no longer have our thoughts, beliefs and attitudes centered on the things of this world—having a “fleshly mind" that is not subject to God (Romans 8:5-8). Rather, by the grace of God, we’re to have a new “mind” that is no longer “conformed” to the patterns of thinking that dominate this world and that is centered on earthly things; but one that is “transformed” according to God’s revealed will (Romans 12:1-2).
B. Paul emphasized these things to the Colossian believers because they were being tempted to focus on the things of this earth as a way to become more righteous before God (see Colossians 2:20-23). Paul’s words lay strong emphasis on the “things above”; because in the original language he literally writes: “the things above mind”. They are to be the focus of our thoughts. And making them our focus is an exercise of the will. God gives us the transformation of mind; but it’s our responsibility to set that renewed mind on things above. We must study the word of God regularly (see Colossians 3:16), become a student of the truths of the faith, and grow in our understanding of them. These things must shape and direct our thinking. We must discipline ourselves to “think” about things from heaven’s perspective.
III. WE’RE TO REJOICE WITH A WHOLE NEW EXPECTATION OF HOPE (vv. 3-4).
A. Living a resurrection life means to live a life that is renewed in terms of our hopes for the future. Living in the light of the resurrection of Jesus gives us the brightest and happiest prospect of hope anyone can have. Paul said, “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
B. But note carefully how this hope is developed:
1. Paul writes that, first, “you have died”. Ordinarily, that certainly wouldn’t be thought of as be good news. But what he means is that we are to see ourselves as having died with Christ to the things of this world (Galatians 2:20). The sinful pleasures and fleshly enticements of this world once held an attraction for us; but they are to do so no longer. We are to understand that we have “died” to them and are to be responsive to them no more.
2. Paul then writes that we’re to understand that our life is now wrapped-up and kept in store in Christ. He said that we’ve not only “died”, but now our life is “hidden with Christ in God”. Our “life” is no longer upon this earth, but is now where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God (see Ephesians 2:4-7). We are no longer strictly earthbound creatures; but are—even at this very moment—hidden in Christ. Our life is no longer on this earth; it is hidden with Christ in God.
3. Paul then stresses that this "life" that is hidden in Christ will be fully realized and fully experienced at a future date. We’re to look ahead to the time when our life will be fully experienced, in absolute, unhindered joy and satisfaction, on that day when Jesus Christ returns to the earth in power and great glory (1 John 3:2).
C. Our settled expectation, then, is that when Jesus comes back to earth and is revealed in full glory, we will also be raised up bodily with Him, and revealed in glory with Him. What a life changing hope that is! As Paul asserted elsewhere; “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).
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If we have died with Jesus, and we have been raised with Him, then the perspective of everything changes in our lives. We’re now to be driven by a whole new set of priorities and ambitions. We’re now to be thinking in a whole new frame of mind. We’re now to rejoice with a whole new expectation of hope. May God help us to truly live the resurrection life! May the great event we celebrate on Easter be a reality that we celebrate every day of the year, for the rest of our lives, and even on into eternity!