RISEN WITH CHRIST

 

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.  (Colossians 3:1 NKJV)

If someone would say, "Ha, there's the rub! I'm afraid that’s not true of me; my life is sinful and sorrowful; there are no Easter chimes in my soul, no glad fellowship with the risen Lord; no victory over dark and hostile powers." But if you are Christ's disciple, you may affirm that you are risen in Him! With Christ you lay in the grave, and with Christ you have gone forth, according to the thought and purpose of God, if not in your feelings and experience. This is distinctly taught in Ephesians 2:1-10 and Rom. 6. The whole Church (including all who believe in our Lord Jesus) has passed into the light of the Easter dawn; and the one thing for you and me, and all of us, is to begin from this moment to act as if it were a conscious experience, and as we dare to do so we shall have the experience.

Notice how the Apostle insists on this: "You died, you were raised with Christ, your life is hid with Christ. Give yourself time to think about it and realize it."

The cross of Jesus stands between you and the constant appeal of the world, as when the neighbors of Christian tried to induce him to return to the City of Destruction. This does not mean that we are to be indifferent to all that is fair and lovely in the life which God has given us, but that the cross is to separate us from all that is selfish, sensual, and savoring of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17).

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.  (Colossians 3:2 NKJV) "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." With many of us there is little attempt to guard our thoughts. The door of our heart stands open, with none to control the ingress or egress of the tumultuous throng of thoughts that wander in and out. If only we would ask the Holy Spirit to control our thoughts, so that we might think only the things that are true and of good report, a wonderful change would pass over our life  (Philippines 4:7-8).

Realize that Christ is your life, He is in you! See to it that nothing hinders the output of His glorious indwelling. Never mind if the world of men misunderstands you. Some day your motives and reasons will be manifested.  When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory (Colossians 3:4 NKJV).

 PRAYER

Grant, most gracious God, that we may love and seek You always and everywhere, and may at length find You and forever hold You fast in the life to come. In Christ’s name we ask it, AMEN.

God's Daily Promise

Promise #78:
I will give you My strength to help you stand in high places.  

2 Samuel 22:33-34 (WEB)
33 God is my strong fortress. He makes my way perfect.
34 He makes his feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me on my high places.