Since You Have Been Raised With Christ

“If then you have been raised with Christ…” Col 3:1. The apostle is neither stating a mere hypothetical condition nor is he expressing a feeble wish. He is emphasizing the reality of the believer’s covenant union with Christ in all aspects of Christ’s work. Paul begins the third chapter of this letter by linking our resurrection and session with Christ in the heavenly places to the prior affirmations of this union in 2:12-13. It is a forceful truth requiring us to direct our entire lives according to the heavenly standard and pattern. Why? Because this is where “Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” and this is where we are with him: God has “made us alive together with Christ–..– and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” Eph 2:5-6. How often do we forget this crucial truth of our Christian life? Yes, we are citizens of the United States of America and yes, we are resident in the state of Georgia and in its respective counties, but at the same time “.. our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Phi 3:20.

How often do we remember this wonderful truth? How often do we make decisions in our daily lives that are governed by this reality? It is very possible to live our (entire) lives moving from day to day, from decision to decision, in total oblivion to this truth. It is possible for us to be so absorbed by the “cares of the world” as we wrestle with such pressing matters as job security; financial instability in a declining economy; educational prospects for our children; concerns about physical health, especially by those of us who are already afflicted and who are over “the hill”; and so on. I’m not making light of these matters for indeed, they are real and demanding. As a matter of fact, we can even say their critical nature should impel us to look beyond them, to lift our hearts and eyes beyond the horizontal, earthly plane of daily existence “to the hills whence comes our help” and where we are seated with Christ.

Such thinking is not to be understood as some form of giddy escapism from the exigencies of life on earth. Nor is it an elixir, a kind of a pick-me-up tonic to numb the effects of living in this fallen world. Far from being any mystic panacea, our seated with Christ in the heavenlies defines us. It reminds us that while we are citizens of our local countries and so on, we are also citizens of the heavenly kingdom. It reinforces the overriding truth that we are pilgrims in a foreign land and as such, we are on a journey which will not end abruptly when we die but which will be transformed into another sphere that is qualitatively different from our current existential reality, 1 Cor 15:42-44, 50. Faithful pilgrims look forward to the culmination of their journey. Faithful pilgrims long for their ultimate destination. Faithful pilgrims diligently commit themselves to doing all they can to reach their destination. Faithful pilgrims understand that their destination is the covenant fulfillment of all that the One who has set this this before them, Heb 12:1.

Faithful pilgrims therefore recognize that, in this Promised Land, the city from above, eternal life of which they were granted a down payment by (as) the Holy Spirit- “he who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.” 2 Cor 5:5; see also 1:22- will reach its consummation, “even the salvation of our souls”, 1 Pe 1:9, when they “acquire possession of it.” Eph 1:14. That is to say, God the Father is working to accomplish his purposes by fashioning us for heaven by indwelling us with his Holy Spirit, who assures us that the gift of redemption we have already received in this life will be attained in all its fullness when we get to heaven. Faithful pilgrims are also sustained by the fact that Christ himself is also preparing, not us for this place but this place for us, Jn 14:3, whence he shall return to gather us unto himself.

How then shall we live in this period between Pentecost and the Parousia, that is, the Second Coming of Christ? We are to live like people who have died to our old nature, who have put on Christ Jesus and who are resurrected and seated with Christ in heaven. We are to live as God’s peculiar and distinctive people, “a band of dispossessed pilgrims whose true country… is not to be found “under the sun” but beyond it, in heaven itself..” Jason J Stillman, Dual Citizens: Worship and Life beyond the Already and Not Yet, p. xxv. We are to live as those who have already mortified and who must continue to “Put to death what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry… anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” Col 3:5, 8 and who have put and must continue to put on “the new self” characterized by “compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,” and forgiveness. vv. 10, 12-13.

This is the controlling perspective of a resurrected and heavenly people. Our thinking is dominated by the character of our future home. Our treasures are defined by the content of our future home. Our tastes are determined by the criteria of our future home. Our thirst will only be fulfilled when we enter the Golden Gates of the city where righteousness dwells.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Col 3:1-2.