Risen With Christ: Part 1

Colossians 3:1-7

We are honored to be with you today. Thanks so much for being here. The Bible is always relevant; we study it to become more like Jesus. He is our Savior, and like we have learned from Colossians, He is the preeminent one. Today’s lesson is the first of two parts, and the title is “Risen with Christ.” The passage is Colossians 3, the first seven verses.  

This is the part of Colossians where Paul switches from what we think and believe to how we live. Many of his books follow a similar pattern. First, he builds the foundation for what we believe, teaching us the why behind our actions. Here in Colossians, the first two chapters teach that Christ is God and He is over all and above all. Then Paul switches and shows how this teaching affects our actions. So today, we look at how this preeminent Jesus wants us to live. Christianity isn’t just right thinking; it has to include right living.  

The next time you read a book by Paul, see if you can find this switch. Where he goes from teaching doctrine and theology, correct thinking, to right living. How believing in Jesus affects daily life. Now let’s turn to Colossians 3, and we will go with J Mark for the rest of our lesson.  

In Romans 12:2, the apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” The word, transformed, is from the Greek metamorphoo, from which we get our English word, metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is the developmental change in the form or structure of a creature (like a butterfly or a frog) that occurs after birth or hatching. Most insect larvae are not very appealing to look at. Yet, the beauty of a butterfly emerging from a cocoon is a powerful reminder of the beauty that can come from transformation through Christ.  

While Paul doesn’t use the word metamorphoo in the Colossian letter, he does use the cycle of death and resurrection to show the changes that take place in one who embraces Christ.  

I’ve repeatedly said that this letter emphasizes the preeminence of Christ. In chapters 1 and 2, Paul addresses the doctrinal and theological aspects of Christ’s preeminence. He deals with the nature of Jesus’ person, His deity, His provision for our salvation, and more. In chapter 3, he shifts to the practical application of Christ’s preeminence in the lives of individual Believers, providing us with a roadmap for living a Christ-centered life.   

In my teaching from chapter two, I stated emphatically that you and I can add nothing to Christ to secure our salvation. The Scripture is clear that our salvation is not by any good works we’ve done, but the mercy of God gives it, Titus 3:5. I used the term Solus Christus – Christ alone!  

Some Bible teachers have concluded from this vital truth that you and I have no choice or responsibility in our salvation. I respectfully disagree. The offer of salvation is not just a possibility but a reality available to all. So, while we can’t do anything to earn or merit our salvation, we can accept or reject the offer. And remember, while salvation is essential, it is just the beginning. Jesus is calling each of us to be His disciples, His followers. That’s a life-long commitment, a commitment that begins with the acceptance of His offer of salvation.  

In addition, some say that once a person is saved, they can never lose their salvation. I agree! No one can take my relationship with the Lord away from me, whether it’s another human being or a demonic spirit. And I can’t mistakenly lay down that relationship somewhere and forget where I put it. However, I can turn my back on God and walk away from Him. I can harden my heart to His voice and refuse to obey His commands.  

Am I still saved? I don’t know the limits of God’s mercy, but I don’t want to test them. The Bible is clear that those who practice sin, as a lifestyle, will NOT inherit the kingdom. I don’t want to be anywhere near that dividing line. Many portions of Scripture warn us about exercising unbelief or turning away from following Christ. 

As we begin studying chapter 3, Paul teaches us what the preeminence of Christ looks like in the lives of individual Believers. As we start, I will read Colossians 3:1 to 7. Then, we will explore it under the title “Risen with Christ.”  

This passage explores the concept of being ‘Risen with Christ’, a transformative experience central to our Christian faith, and has profound implications for our lives. 

¹If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 

 ²Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.  

³For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 

 ⁴When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 

⁵Therefore, put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 

 ⁶Because of these things, the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 

 ⁷which you once walked when you lived in them. 

This text reveals the significant CHANGES that result from our being “Risen with Christ.”  

The First Significant CHANGE is, 

Our Desires 

Verse one begins with the word, if. In our minds, if is a word of possibility. But that isn’t what Paul is saying. What we have here is called a condition of the first class, assumed as true. We have a similar construction in Colossians 2:20 and the other half of the picture of baptism, being buried with Christ, in Colossians 2:12.  

So, a more literal translation of this first phrase is “since you have been raised with Christ…” There’s no doubt or question here. Chapter 2, verse 12 speaks of being buried with Christ in baptism, and this verse speaks of the second part of baptism, being raised with Christ in newness of life. Jesus’ resurrection was physical; His body came out of the grave. Ours is a spiritual resurrection, a metamorphosis, a transformation of our core being.  

The result of our being raised with Christ is that we are called to seek heavenly things. This means we should focus on the things present where Christ is seated at God’s right hand. This resurrection gives us new life and a new focus on heavenly things. This new life in Christ is potential based on Jesus’ death and resurrection; it becomes actual when we embrace Christ as Savior and Master. It’s a call to prioritize our spiritual growth and focus on the things of God.  

I found some interesting details in this text. For example, the word, things, is emphatic in the original. It contrasts the above things, the heavenly things, with the things of earth, the things the false teachers emphasized. This is direct pushback against their error. In addition, the idea expressed here is that “the THINGS above we are to be constantly seeking.” This is not an individual act, but rather a continual process of making proper choices moment by moment.  

This illustrates the practical striving of a true disciple of Jesus Christ. This focus on the things above is not a prerequisite or a requirement for salvation. Instead, Paul says, it proves that one is genuinely born again! It is a cause-and-effect situation. You will desire the heavenly things if you are truly risen with Christ. Paul states in Romans 6:7 that our death with Christ, symbolized in baptism, sets us free from sinful desire as a controlling force in our lives.  

Now that we understand what Paul is saying, what heavenly things will we seek? What’s the environment where Christ is seated at God’s right hand? (Incidentally, Paul’s statement that Christ is sitting at God’s right hand refutes the Gnostic denial of Christ’s deity.) Sitting at someone’s right hand is a place of privilege, responsibility, and authority. But it’s also a place of submission; it is not sitting on the throne.  

Jesus’ earthly ministry was designed to show us how to seek heavenly things. He spurned the honor of the religious world and the enticements of the secular world in pursuit of His Father’s will and His Father’s glory. He taught us to be content with just the necessities of life. He gave freely of His time and energy to others, never seeking personal reward.  

Seeking heavenly things motivated Him to spend significant time in prayer and communion with His Heavenly Father. He used the natural things of the world to point others to the Father, things like water, bread, fish, sheep, coins, and so on. In none of His actions was He striving to accumulate earthly wealth or position. His sole desire was the glory of the Father.  

This text is deeply challenging and convicting to me. I must admit that too often my desires are more earth-focused than heaven-focused. I have been buried with Christ. I have been raised in the newness of life, but I still live in the flesh with its desires and appetites. Spending significant amounts of time in prayer is a struggle because I allow other choices to crowd it out. I want the Spirit of God to continue changing my desires to reflect the risen Christ more clearly. 

The Second Significant CHANGE (that results from our being risen with Christ) is, 

Our Deliberations 

Deliberation is another word for our thoughts. What are you thinking about? Where does it go when your mind isn’t occupied with your daily responsibilities? What are the things you’re passionate about? Being raised with Christ should impact our thoughts.   

Notice that there’s some overlap between this change and the previous one. That’s natural because separating our thoughts and actions is difficult. However, Paul does seem to emphasize the action of seeking in verse one and the thought processes that motivate those actions here in verse two. Someone has said, “You must not only seek heaven, but you must think heaven too.”  

The word affection speaks not only of the ability to think but also of the moral considerations that are part of the process. The impact of the will is also part of the picture. Sometimes, we talk about a person’s “mindset.” We mean how they process the information they receive—the deliberations they use to reach conclusions. The Scriptures use a different word when referring to the mind as the organ of perception.  

We are to keep setting our thoughts on things above, not things on the earth. In other words, keep on thinking about the things that are above. This is the inward impulse and disposition of the mind. The emphasis in verse one is on the practical results of being risen with Christ. Here, the emphasis is on how being raised with Christ changes our thinking processes. 

In Jesus’ interaction with His disciples in Mark 8:31 to 33. He told them about the things he was going to suffer, how He would be crucified and then rise again. Peter took Him aside and rebuked Him, protesting that these things wouldn’t happen to Him. Jesus responded by saying, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Like Peter, you and I need to focus on the things above rather than those that belong only to this life.  

Thanks, J Mark, for sharing the first part of this teaching. Our desires and deliberations are the first two changes from being raised with Christ. Lord willing, you can join us next time as we look at the last two changes in our destiny and discipline. This is a big one, and we look forward to being with you soon.  

If you have any questions about today’s teaching or want to contact us, here are a few ways to reach us. An easy way is to email. Our email is [email protected]. You can also message us online; our website is heraldsofhope.org. We look forward to hearing from you soon.  

Lord willing, we can be together next time as we study the rest of what it means to be “Risen with Christ.” Until then, go with God and practice verse two from this lesson: “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” 

*This episode is an exposition by J. Otis Yoder, re-recorded by J. Mark Horst, with an opening and closing by Arlin Horst.