Risen with Christ

Colossians 3:1 “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.”

As we enter “Holy Week”, the thoughts of “dying to sin” and being “risen with Christ” focus on the meaning and purpose of this “new life” in Christ. On Devotional that I read explained the twice-born, born-from-above have been raised with Christ and the “new man” is effectively positioned with Christ in glory. We have been made alive “together with Christ” and in the eternal reality of our Creator, who “made us sit together in heavenly places”. Thus, the command to seek the “above” realities is not merely a theological idea but rather a profound order to embrace the reality of our new empowerment to walk with Christ in a new life. Indeed, we have been newly created by Creator Father God in “righteousness and true holiness”. Therefore, since we are God’s workmanship, it is not possible that God could create His children for any other purpose than “good works”.

Obviously, our Lord knows that we are still in “earthen vessels”. That is precisely why He promised to provide all of our earthly needs if we would but “seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33), including our necessary patient continuance in well doing. Remember, “God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” – Philippians 4:19. The environment of the world constantly opposes the reality of “above.” Even the wisdom of above seems counter-intuitive; it is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” – James 3:17. Yet we are still expected to seek to live like we are above because “the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” –Galatians 2:20. Washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, we are raised to live a life filled with purpose and meaning. That is living the "risen life".

In Christ, Brian