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Scripture:
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)We have a very wonderful discussion for this series, “Identity in Christ”.
What does it really mean for us to have Christ in our lives?
What is the uniqueness of someone who have Christ in his life?
Notice the word “raised” in the first verse. This in Greek according to, Strong’s, is called συνηγέρθητε (synēgerthēte)
“To raise along with. From sun and egeiro; to rouse in company with, i.e. to revivify in resemblance to”.
To revivify in resemblance to whom? To our original image - the image of God, of Christ.
As we tackle this devotion we will understand, little by little, what it really means to have a new life in Christ. How important it is to have this kind of life with Him.
1. New life in Christ seeks God more
We go back to the first verse of Colossians 3. The word “seek”, according to Strong’s Greek definition, ζητεῖτε (zēteite)“To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.”
Let’s see for ourselves what the other Bible versions say about this verse:
NET Bible
Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
International Standard Version
Therefore, if you have been raised with the Messiah, keep focusing on the things that are above, where the Messiah is seated at the right hand of God.
New International Version
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
New Living Translation
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
Brothers and sisters, as we have now new life in God, take note that this is a command by God, a continuing process of: setting your sights, setting your hearts, keeping your focus, keeping to seek Him.
Don’t stop from knowing Him in your life. The very moment we died with Christ was the very moment we live not for ourselves but on what matters most for the glory of God. So keep on pursuing what pleases God. Focus your sight on Him no matter what happens.
The new life with God is not only about the vices that you surrendered to Him, it’s not the good things that you are doing in your daily life, it’s not about the attitude of attending church services religiously, but rather it is all about Jesus’ work in your personal walk with Him. As you encounter His grace and love and mercy, you will realize your nothingness in His sight that you will lose your focus on yourself and instead you seek on the interest of God and continue your intimacy with Him. You will begin to check your actions. You will begin to properly understand how important it is to read God’s word. You will begin to recognize that truth is not the way you think it should be but rather the truth that even when you read or hear it will really humble you and make you realize that man’s standard of righteousness is entirely different from God.
2. New life in Christ means Thinking Right.
I just want to share with you what I have learned last Sunday night on Ptr. Peter Tan Chi’s sermon about thinking right: The T.E.A Principle- Thinking-Emotions-Actions.Your thinking affects your emotions and your emotions will affect how you will act on a situation.
Colossians chapter 3 verse 2 says that to “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
The word “set your minds”, according to Strong’s Greek definition, φρονεῖτε (phroneite):
(a) I think, (b) I think, judge, (c) I direct the mind to, seek for, (d) I observe, (e) I care for.
Again this is a command. Our identity in Christ is that we are one with Him. Our thoughts, most especially, plays a critical role on how we perceive God.
As what Ptr. Peter Tan Chi said- “Thinking right is a spiritual maturity. What you think about God will impact the way you think about yourself. What you think about God will impact the way you think of others. What you think about God will impact the way you interpret circumstances.”
Satan really loves to tell lies about you and about God- that God is not real in your life, that God never really cares for you, that you will never experience happiness in Christ, that serving God is a boring thing, etc.
Brethren, we are in battle here. Battle that we need to constantly fight and defeat.
Friends, let me tell you what has been said by Paul regarding this matter.
2 Corinthians 10: 4-6 ESV
” 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.”
There are strongholds that are stuck in your mind.
Paul is telling us to always be on guard to what we think. Is it pleasing to God? Does it glorify God? Does it bring honor to Him?
Being able to live in Christ does not mean that the enemy is done with you. It’s a big no-no. The enemy will all the more pursue us to go back to our old nature.
1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Friends, God is with us! You’re not alone in the fight. We are to resist all possible entry against the enemy.
Don’t give any opportunity for Satan to try to deceive you. That is why it is important to really study God’s Word. It is His truth for us to see and touch and feel.
Romans 12:2 ESV perfectly says it all:
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Our new life in Christ is also a renewed perspective of who God is in your life. Don’t waste what God has been planning for you- a restored relationship with Him. Enjoy every moment with God. Everything starts in the mind.
3. New life in Christ needs action.
New life in Christ is not only on the mind. It should be practiced as well.Let’s read the succeeding verses of Colossians 3:5-12 ESV
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:[b] sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.[c] 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self[d] with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,[e] free; but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
The verses say it all. Praise God!
Notice the contrast between verses 5-11 and verses 12-17. Verses 5-11 speaks of things that we must “put to death” which in Strong’s Greek means Νεκρώσατε (Nekrōsate) “Lit. and met: I put to death, make as dead; I render weak, impotent. From nekros; to deaden, i.e. to subdue.”
Verses 12, on the other hand, tells us to “put on” which in Strong’s Greek translation means Ἐνδύσασθε (Endysasthe)
“To put on, clothe (another). From en and duno; to invest with clothing.”
Brethren, God is telling us to put on God’s image. Do not delay. Let Christ run its full course in your life. A life surrendered to God is a life worth living for. “Practicing these things will make it a habit”- Ptr. Peter Tan Chi, CCF Senior Pastor
Photo by: Jaime Legaspino
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