I Have Been Raised Up With Christ

Col 3:1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (nasb)

Do you ever just read over a verse in the Bible and as you read it you have the desire to continue to pour more and more time into it? This occurred for me this evening. Spending a couple of hours with a group of men can have its challenges and blessings. Especially when the time spent is to expound on the scriptures. That is what we did tonight. Chewing on the conclusion of chapter two and the beginning of chapter three in this amazing writing of the apostle Paul.

Paul spends the first couple of chapters in Colossians speaking of the mystery of Christ. Reminding the people that ceremonial law does not put us into relationship with Christ, and defines His place of prominence in relationship to the Father. Jesus is God in the flesh. Jesus tells the pharisees in the book of John that if you have seen me, you have seen the Father.

As Paul moves into the third chapter he tells us that if we have been raised up in Christ, we shall keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Paul could have said to simply seek after good things. He could have illustrated some of the things Christ did and said to do them likewise. But instead, he said to seek after the things where Christ is, seated at God Almighty's right hand.

The right hand of God is a place of honor and authority and Paul wants us to see that what we are seeking is no small thing. We are looking heavenward and seeking after the things that are solely from God. Before we can be raised with Christ, one must die to the things of the world. We all know that we can not serve two masters. So, if our eyes are gazed toward heaven, then they can not even glance at the objects of the world that vie for our affection.

So why did this verse capture my attention? I think what stands out in this verse is twofold. First, that we have been raised up with Christ. That is quite significant to me. Paul tells the church at Ephesus that God raised Christ up to His right hand and placed Him over all power, rulers, authority, dominions, and names to be named. He shows us that we are in Christ as well. We are in communion with the One who is over and above all. We are adopted children of God and we have obtained an eternal inheritance. We are made righteous by Him. And as God has raised up Christ, He will also raise us up as well.

Second, I am encouraged to seek after the things above. Paul lays out a practical list in the next few verses as to what those things look like. But for me, just knowing my position in Christ, understanding the significance of His position next to the Father, and being overwhelmed by His goodness makes me want to naturally look heavenward. When a person grasps the enormity of what it truly means to be in Christ, looking away from the things of the the world that cause sin becomes the norm. And I, by no means, have achieved perfection in this area.

Col 3:1 has spoken volumes to me today. It gives me hope that I have been raised up and am hidden in Him. It reminds me that I have died to the things of this world. And it spurs me on to continue earnestly seeking the things of Christ.

I pray that you will seek Jesus with all of your heart today. Therefore, the things of this world will become strangely dim.

Blessings,
Keith