If Ye Then Be Risen With Christ

IF YE THEN BE RISEN WITH CHRIST (Col. 3:1-4) Christian, let me ask you a question.  Are you finding it hard to keep your mind and thoughts away from this evil world, and all it's sin and corruption?  Well, I believe you need to take care of that problem, because if you don't, you are going to be a miserable Christian, and also a horrible testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ.  Let's look at these verses for some help and encouragement. In Col. 3:l a it says, "If ye then be risen with Christ."  In this statement the standing of every Christian is seen.  In Christ we are risen with Him and have been placed in the Heavenlies (Eph. 2:6).  In our actual state here on earth we still remain in our sinful bodies waiting the coming of the Lord for His Church.  In order for a Christ¬ian to have victory in his life over sin he needs to have his thoughts and desires on things in Heaven.  For it is in Heaven where we really stand in God's eyes already in Christ. In verse one and two it says, "seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth."  Let me ask you another question.  Are you seeking, desiring, and thinking on things above?  Maybe you say, "Yes, I have told the Lord many times that I will give up a certain sin but I always seem to mess up again."  There is a big difference between seeking, desiring, and thinking on things above; and making fleshly resolutions to the Lord about sins you're going to stop doing.  Yes, we are to confess our sins and be forgiven as in I John 1:9, but how are we to keep from sinning again and again?  The answer is found in Col. 3:1-2. We are to have our thoughts and desires upon things in Heaven and not upon the things on this earth.  Let’s look at some things in Heaven, which we should think about and desire. The Bible teaches us that as born again believers we are no longer of this world, but we are just strangers and pilgrims and our real home is in Heaven.  "For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil. 3:20).  "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul" (I Peter 2:11).  As we real¬ize we are just strangers and pilgrims we should abstain from the fleshly desires of this world.  Our desire should be on Heaven, which is our real home. The Bible also teaches us that there is someone in Heaven who ought to be the center of our thoughts and desires.  That Person is our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  In Heb. 12:2 we are to have our eyes FOCUSED on Him, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..."  In Phil. 2:5 we are to have the MIND of Christ in us, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."  In Phil. 2:21 Paul rebukes those who seek not the THINGS of Christ, "For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's."  In I Peter 2:21 we are to FOLLOW His example, "For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps."  In Col. 3:16 we are to let Christ's words DWELL in us, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom..."  And in Col. 3:17 we are to DO all things in His name, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." So Friend, it is not necessary to go into hiding from the world in order to have a victorious Christian life.  We should rather have our hearts and minds stayed on Jesus Christ in order to have the needed strength to overcome evil.  I find it is not a sudden slip up or unexpected temptation from the Devil that makes me sin, but rather a progressive wandering and deviating from thinking on Christ and things above which eventually result in sin.  The songwriter of "Like A River Glorious," puts it in right words, "Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest, finding as he promised, perfect peace and rest." Lastly look at Col. 3:3,4 what a beautiful promise to all those who through faith in Christ have crucified the "Old Man," "For ye are dead, and your Life is hid with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our Life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory."  Are you looking forward to the time when our Lord of Life will come and take us out of the Body of this Death and present us faultless and perfect before God?  Are you telling others?  This is another way of thinking on things above. By Paul L. Freeman, Evangelist <<Back