A Scriptural-Spritual Lens for Resolve in 2022 - Part Two
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Introduction
Introduction
Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.
1 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.
PRAY
We saw three points from verses 1 & 2 last week.
Spiritual resolve is commanded by God (1b & 2a)
Spiritual resolve demands pursuit of heavenly realities and rejection of fallen realities (1b & 2)
Spiritual resolve pursues Jesus as the highest reality (1c)
Today, we will see there are three categories of reasons that empower us to be spiritually resolved. bound us to seek the things above freely.
Spiritual resolve is grounded in the past activities of God
Spiritual resolve is grounded in the past activities of God
If then you have been raised with Christ
“Since you” is a condition first class. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Paul uses this as a literary device to make a point. It is assumed to be true in the lives of the readers and doubt is not considered.
Raised with Christ – when Christ was raised from the dead to walk in resurrection life, we were raised with him to walk in that same resurrection life. I believe that this truth is true in two aspects. There is the first aspect that when Christ was raised from the dead, he was our representative and he was raised from the dead on our behalf or for us. Secondly, there is the practical aspect that occurs when we become born again and when he brings us from spiritual death to spiritual life. It is his resurrection life that is given to us when we become Christians. Another important point of understanding is that this verb is aorist passive, which mean it happened in the past and that we a passive in the working of this activity. God is doing the raising in our lives. Have you been raised by God with Christ? Are you living from that life?
For you have died (3a) A real, though non-physical death
2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?
When Christ was on the cross, your old man was crucified with him.
There are also two aspects of this dying. First, we were crucified with Christ when he was on the cross. Our sin was place on him in such a way as our representative that it can be said emphatically that we died. Secondly, when we repented and trusted in Christ our life of sin and iniquity and rebellion against God ended. That old man died and we are now a new creation.
Your life is hidden with Christ in God (3)
This seems like it would be a present reality and not so much one in the past, but in the original language this is in the perfect tense, which means it happened in the past, but has abiding results. So we are half right to say it is a present reality.
You existence and being is secured and protected in God and Christ
25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
Spiritual resolve is empowered by the current activities of God
Spiritual resolve is empowered by the current activities of God
Christ is above reigning with God (1)
Where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God
Though, Christ is currently seated at the right hand of God, his activities as mediator are not completed. He has made his sacrifice as the priest, but he is still making intercession.
4 The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Your life is hidden with Christ in God
God’s protection of you and locating you with Christ is not simply a past reality that can be forgotten in this life and recalled to memory when you die. It is an abiding reality.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Christ who is your life (4)
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Spiritual resolve is rewarded by the future activities of God
Spiritual resolve is rewarded by the future activities of God
When Christ who is your life appears (4)
Appears - manifest, visible, conspicuous. To make apparent, manifest, known, show openly
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
You also will appear with him in glory (4)
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
Practical Application
Practical Application
Repent of lack of resolve
Be saturated by Scripture
Look to self less and Christ more