Integrating Spiritual Truth for Holy Living

King James Version (Chapter 3)

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God

“If” limits who this message is for. Who Paul is talking to is those who the gospel message applies to

Paul is explaining the will to the heirs of salvation. There are things to learn about who, what, where when, and why we are.

Understanding is such an integral part of development in our spiritual lives.

IS THIS “IF” FOR ME. In other words have we been risen with Christ? This is a valid question that should come to our minds as we read this first verse of Colossians 3.

Risen together with Christ

Risen with Christ is the word συνεγείρω which appears to be where we get our word synergy which is the coming together of two organisms in order to achieve something greater than the sum of its parts.

Risen With Christ

When were we risen with Christ?

The resurrection of Christ is a past event in history yet it is an eternal landmark. Eph 1:20, Col 2:12, Romans 6:4–5 “4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” - Being risen with Christ is connected to being buried with Christ by Baptism.

The word if does not suggest that Paul’s readers might not have been “risen with Christ”; for all of us, as believers, are identified with Christ in death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. The word since gives the truer meaning of the word. Our exalted position in Christ is not a hypothetical thing, or a goal for which we strive. It is an accomplished fact

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 133). Victor Books.

Philippians 3:20 (KJV 1900)

20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

conversation—commonwealth, citizenship.