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LIVING AS THOSE MADE ALIVE IN CHRIST - PART 1

To live as those made alive in Christ is to spend our lives wisely on earth as people committed to the Lord and Saviour, Christ Jesus. Did you know that as a born again Christian, you have been crucified with Christ and died to the polluting spirits of the world? When Christ Jesus died for us, we died with Him. When He was raised from the dead, we died to sin, we were raised with Him and have been set free from the power and bondage of sin. Now our life is found and hidden within the realm of Christ.

Reference: Colossians 3:1-3 New International Version (NIV) "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."


These verses contain apostle Paul's advice on how He wants the Colossians to live their Christian life. Upgrading their mindset is the main part of this reminder or divine instructions. He instructs them, "Since you have been raised with Christ", which means that we were all raised from the dead with Christ - as new creations. The Bible says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV).


In another way, Paul is saying, "since you've been raised with Christ as new creations, act accordingly". Heed his instructions and set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Why do we need to set our hearts on things above, where Christ is? This is because Ephesians 2:6 (NIV) recorded that God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. So Paul is reminding the Colossians and us as well saying, "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." Spiritually, we are located in a place called Christ. But bodily, we live and still function in the earth realm.


Though we are on earth, its important as Christians that we set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. Jesus already told us that we are in the world but not of the world (John 17:16 ESV). So Paul is repeating the same through a different rendering. Why is this reminder or instruction very important? It is because the thought of Christians still being in the world can mislead us to settle for the things and pleasures of this world, forgetting that no matter our lifespan on earth, we are mainly here for a mission, which is for the purpose of reaching others with the glorious gospel. The world is not our permanent home. And according to 1st Corinthians 15:19 (BSB), if our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men.


For this reason, setting our minds on things above, not on earthly things, is of paramount importance. By doing so, we can never lose focus of who we are and what we are here for. The term, "set your minds on things above" already says it all. It has to do with mind-setting. It is a practical instruction. We must train ourselves to focus on our new life in Christ Jesus. And this focus involves giving our attention to godly, spiritual realities, rather than yielding ourselves to sinful, earthly desires and negative influences. However note that Paul is not saying that we should ignore our earthly duties and concerns. Far from it. He meant that in all we do, (including our earthly duties, interests and functions), we must give our time and pay attention to pleasing to God while engaging in them, rather than pleasing the flesh and fulfilling its desire.


Our purpose in Christ is to live with our eternal Kingdom perspective rather than focusing only on the temporary goals and accomplishment of this world. Therefore, daily, we must set our minds "above," where Christ is and focus on eternal matters, bearing in mind that Christ is a location of supreme honour and authority. Stay tuned for the part two of this wonderful topic. Shalom!


Scripture Reading - Psalm 1:1-3; Philippians 4:8; 1 John 4:4; Romans 12:2; 1 John 5:19.


Exuberant Declaration: I am of God and I have an intimate connection with the God-class because God has positioned me with Christ at His right hand in heavenly places. I no longer walk according to the course of this world but according to the newness of life in Christ Jesus. My mind is constantly focused on Christ, where the privileges and luxuries of the Kingdom are dispensed and dispatched. By setting my mind on things above, I breathe the air of heaven on earth, and I enjoy daily, the fellowship and benefits of Christ, such that my mindset and spirit are elevated to experience His honour and to establish His authority in my world. For this purpose, I'm quickened by His power to walk in heavenly blessings here on earth, through the knowledge of His will. Glory to God!


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