“Set your mind
on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is
hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also
will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:2-4 NKJ)
on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is
hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also
will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:2-4 NKJ)
In this Colossian
narrative, Paul explains the spiritual ramifications of a believer’s
experience. A death of the spirit has occurred, yet life continues . . . a life
hidden in Christ. Think about that! He is our life! Life has the final say.
narrative, Paul explains the spiritual ramifications of a believer’s
experience. A death of the spirit has occurred, yet life continues . . . a life
hidden in Christ. Think about that! He is our life! Life has the final say.
Our life is safe
with Christ in God. One day soon, he will be revealed as the King of Kings to
the whole world. When that revelation occurs, because we are hidden in him, we
will also be revealed with him in his glory. What a day that will be!
with Christ in God. One day soon, he will be revealed as the King of Kings to
the whole world. When that revelation occurs, because we are hidden in him, we
will also be revealed with him in his glory. What a day that will be!
Life is the final
word! As believers, our focus should be on life. Is death a reality? Yes, it
is. But the coming resurrection is just as real! And the resurrection of our
Lord makes the difference for all eternity. His resurrection is the final word.
word! As believers, our focus should be on life. Is death a reality? Yes, it
is. But the coming resurrection is just as real! And the resurrection of our
Lord makes the difference for all eternity. His resurrection is the final word.
With Paul we can
say, “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that
He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. (2Timothy 1:12
NKJ). And so we continue to firmly hold on to the “pattern of sound words”
in the faith and love of our Lord and Savior.
say, “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that
He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. (2Timothy 1:12
NKJ). And so we continue to firmly hold on to the “pattern of sound words”
in the faith and love of our Lord and Savior.
Our adversary would
distract us with the pain and sorrows of this life. Death is his instrument of
fear and bondage, but thanks be unto God who gives us the victory through our
Lord Jesus Christ, we can say, “O death your sting has no power. O grave you have
no victory, because death is totally destroyed by Christ’s victory!” [my
paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 15:54-55]
distract us with the pain and sorrows of this life. Death is his instrument of
fear and bondage, but thanks be unto God who gives us the victory through our
Lord Jesus Christ, we can say, “O death your sting has no power. O grave you have
no victory, because death is totally destroyed by Christ’s victory!” [my
paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 15:54-55]
Life in Christ Jesus
is the final word. Faith in him and hope of the resurrection liberates us from
the enemy’s death trap. Songwriter Squire Parsons wrote, “Some call it
dreaming. O let me dream on.” Skeptics and unbelievers may laugh at our hope,
but it is not a wild-eyed-pie-in-the-sky fantasy. Death is not the final
authority. It has been defeated for all eternity. Life through Jesus Christ is
the final word!
is the final word. Faith in him and hope of the resurrection liberates us from
the enemy’s death trap. Songwriter Squire Parsons wrote, “Some call it
dreaming. O let me dream on.” Skeptics and unbelievers may laugh at our hope,
but it is not a wild-eyed-pie-in-the-sky fantasy. Death is not the final
authority. It has been defeated for all eternity. Life through Jesus Christ is
the final word!
Dear Father, thank
you for hiding us in the life of Jesus Christ. Empower us to so live that when
he returns we may meet him in his glory. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for hiding us in the life of Jesus Christ. Empower us to so live that when
he returns we may meet him in his glory. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Live in Christ
today,
today,