"A Life That Honors"

Colossians 3:1 NKJV

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

“If” you were raised with Christ. The intention here implies that there will be evidence for the regenerated person through the born again experience. Paul is calling to question the condition of the believers here in Colossae. The next sentence we can examine is to seek. Seek the things that are above in the heavenly places. It echos the passage of Christ to “seek first the kingdom of God”. We are instructed to not cling to this world and life but rather to focus in on the reality that is waiting to be revealed.

Colossians 3:2–3 NKJV

2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

In order for us to be raised with Christ we must have also died with Christ. The old former person must be crucified and die in order to be born again.

John 12:24 NKJV

24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.

Our lives is hidden with Christ in God. The promises of Jesus resonates here that our lives our both protected and preserved in God. Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John that no one can pluck our lives from the hand of the Father. Paul tells Timothy in his second letter that “he knows Him in who he believes and trusts Him to keep that which he (Paul) has committed to Him (Jesus). emphasis mine.

Colossians 3:4 NKJV

4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

When not if Christ appears we will be with Him. Here is yet another scriptual reference to be absent from the body and present with the Lord (see II Tim 4:6-8; Luke 16:22-24; Luke 23:43; Acts 7:55-60; II Cor 5:1-8).

Colossians 3:5–7 NKJV

5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

We must labor to put to death these ungodly characteristics if we desire to grow in our following of our Master. These are no longer a part of our identity and must be taken away from our daily lives. They have no place in our witness and must be seen as hostile opponents not simply laughable or impotent things in our lives but rather articles deserving of the full wrath of a holy God.