May 2, 2021. Colossians 3:1-4

Posted byJohn Sanzone

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THE BIG IF.  Colossians 3:1-4.  05/02/2021.  #08.

Colossians 3:1-4 [New King James Version]

1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 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. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

  1. If A, then B
    1. “If” you were raised in Christ…
      1. Paul stated that believers are crucified, buried, and raised with Christ unto eternal life
        1. A spiritual reality (Galatians 3:20)
        1. Believers are raised to a new life
      1. “If” can have 2 meanings here:  (1) “On the condition that” (a contingency)  (2) “Since” you were raised (leaving no doubt that it is true)
    1. Since Paul is listing aspects that demonstrate the results being saved
      1. If we are truly saved, then our perspective should change: instead of seeking earthly things, we desire the things of God
      1. Paul provides a test of the reality of their salvation (the Corinthians failed this test)
    1. A true believer will seek heavenly things
      1. The pursuit of wealth, fame, possessions, and power no longer captivates a redeemed man
      1. One’s heart desires are spiritual things
    1. This does not mean that a believer does not pursue a career or enjoy blessings of the earth (2 Thessalonians 3; I Timothy 6:17)
    1. A born again person is a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17) with new motivations and desires (James 2)
      1. A regenerated life should be able to be seen
      1. II Chronicles 6:14-18 a life of purity, testimony, and service
  2. If A, then not C
    1. Setting our minds on things above entails not setting our minds on the things of the earth (selfish, greedy desires)
    1. To seek the things of Christ involves having a passion and commitment to pursuing spiritual truth (Word and deed)
    1. Professing believers not pursuing Christ are in doubt:
      1. Hebrews 5 believers who stay spiritual infants
      1. I Corinthians 3 believers who hold onto carnality
      1. Matthew 7:21-23 false believers who are unsaved
    1. II Corinthians 13:5-10 Paul is concerned that the Col. conversion may be superficial
      1. He has no personal experience with them
      1. They had questions concerning Christ’s nature, legalism, angel worship, and Christian practices
    1. Philippians 1:21-22 it is best to leave no doubt to yourself and to others that you are saved
    1. Pursing the things above entails 5 basic aspects:
      1. A clear testimony for Jesus Christ
      1. A moral charitable life
      1. A love for the Word of God (Romans 10:17, James 1:22)
      1. Worship of God and repudiation of worldliness
      1. A love for God’s people (John 13:34; Hebrews 10:25)
  3. Death that brings life
    1. Romans 6 believers died with Christ and died to sin
    1. Our lives are then hidden (krupto [i.e., crypt]; kept secret) in Christ (we have no halos or physical indicators on us)
      1.  Isaiah 53:2 the deity of Christ was hidden in a non-descript body (Philippians 2:8)
      1. Ephesians 6:19 hidden in Christ through the mystery of the Gospel
    1. I Corinthians 15:51; I John 3:2 we are not now what we will be
      1. The world can’t see our future glory and status
      1. 1 Thessalonians 4 the justified will be glorified (Romans 8:30)
    1. Paul provides Col. with process, evidence, and results
      1. Receive Christ => ∆ life => eternal glory
      1. The 1st step is necessary for the latter two

Key verse: 2 Corinthians 13:5-10

5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified. 7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. 10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.