by Dr. Grant C. Richison
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.”
Chapter three begins the practical division of the book of Colossians.Paul now moves to the positive. Not only does the death of Christ relate to the believer but so does the resurrection of […]
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “
“seek those things which are above”
“Seek” is the first of many commands in the remaining practical section of Colossians. “Seek” means to pursue, search for, endeavor to obtain, desire to possess. If […]
“If then you were raised with Christ,seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “
“where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God”
Jesus is seated at “the right hand of God.” This is the completeness of our position. Our status quo before God in Christ is […]
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”
We turn to the second command in the practical section of Colossians. We must not only “seek” things above but we are to “think” things above. We are to put into practice what God affords us by our position in Christ.
Paul turns to a […]
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.“
“not on things on the earth”
“Things on the earth” is set in contrast to “things above.” These are moral things, not physical things. This is not Gnostic contempt for material things. Paul is not pushing spiritual escapism such as becoming a monk or hiding […]
“For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Paul gives two reasons he wants the Christian to “seek” and “set our minds” on “things above.” The first reason is that we died with Christ and are therefore hidden with him in God.
“For you died”
“For”– the reason for setting our minds on […]
“For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.“
“and your life is hidden with Christ in God”
“Hidden with Christ” is a statement of our eternal security in Christ. This does not mean that it is hidden from us but that it is hidden for us. Jesus lays away our life in his. […]
“When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
This verse speaks of our future with the Lord Jesus. This is the destiny of the believer.
“When Christ who is our life appears”
The word “appears” means to manifest. Manifest is more than “appear.” The true meaning is to uncover, […]
“When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.“
At the coming of Christ we hope for the perfection of our happiness.
“then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
When Christ comes, we shall then appear with him in glory. It will be his glory to have his […]
“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
“Therefore”
This verse begins the practical section of the epistle. Imperatives abound in this part of Colossians. This is a turning point of huge importance at this juncture in Colossians.
Paul builds his epistles on the same […]
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