Most of us have attended the funeral of a friend or loved one. Often the coffin is present, sometimes opened with a view of the deceased, or other times it is closed. Either way, the person in that coffin no longer cares about what is going on in the world, or even right there in the room. They cannot hear what anyone says to them. They are not worried about their bank account, getting ahead in their job, what their neighbor is doing, or the latest gossip. They are dead to this world. Their only concern now is where their eternal destination is. In our Scripture today the Apostle Paul speaks of believers being dead to one thing, and alive to another. Let’s see what he is talking about, and what we can learn.
As we jump into our Scripture passage, the first word in the English translation might be confusing (vs 1). The word “if” here really has the meaning of “since” or “because”. Paul isn’t wondering or questioning whether those in the Colossian church were spiritually risen and united with Jesus. Paul is speaking to genuinely saved people, and as such he is referring to the believer's union with Christ in His resurrection (Romans 6:4-5). His resurrection is not just something that happened in the past. It affects every Christian today.
Because we share in Jesus’ resurrection life, our desires must be reoriented. Our pursuits should no longer be earthly or fleshly. Instead, they should be heavenly, eternal, and Christ-centered. What are the things that we are seeking after in this life? Do they align with Jesus’ priorities, or with those of the world? We need to keep on seeking and pursuing those things that are aligned with God’s purposes.
Paul proceeds to tell us where to put our mind and thoughts (vs. 2). We are to pursue a godly transformation of our mind, setting our thoughts on things above, where Jesus is seated. This is not a call to ignore our earthly responsibilities. We still need to provide for our families, we can still enjoy good and wholesome activities and fun times. However, our hearts should be anchored in heaven. Our mental habits, values, and emotional attachments should be shaped by Jesus’ kingdom, by being saturated with Scripture, and an eternal perspective, not by earthly systems, pleasures, or anxieties.
Next we are told that if we are saved, we are not only dead to our old life, but also alive in our new life with Jesus (vs. 3). We are dead to the old life we had, to our old identity, and old bondage (Romans 6:6-7). Being “hidden with Christ” refers to our security in Jesus (John 10:28-29), to our identity in Him (Galatians 2:20), and our separation from the world (I John 3:1). Our life is anchored in Jesus - safe, unshakeable, and eternal.
Paul concludes this passage with God’s promise that the Lord will return, and when He does, we will also appear with Him in glory (vs. 4). Jesus is our life, and our future glorification with Him will one day be revealed. Our future is not uncertain. It is guaranteed, tied to the Lord’s return, and it will be glorious. In knowledge of that, we should live our life today in light of the coming glory. We should let the certainty of His return shape our priorities, our purity of life, and our perseverance in serving Him.
God’s Word teaches us that Christians have died with Jesus, that we rose with Him, and we will appear with Him when He returns. This is the foundation of Christian living. This world is temporary, and Christ’s kingdom is eternal. Knowing that should guide our manner of life, and be a motivation for holiness and endurance.
If we’ve committed ourselves to Jesus, then we have died and been raised with Him. He is our life, not our own desires. In difficult times we need to change our focus to something other than what we see, and move to a place of praise to Jesus. We praise Him based, not on what we see, but out of a relationship with God that goes beyond what we see. When we are living a risen life with Jesus, we can now see things from His perspective. We can trust God in any and every situation. He will see us through all difficult times.
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