"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT HEAVEN"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT HEAVEN"

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

Col 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Col 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:

1. Paul starts verse 3:1 by stating a fact. The word "if" really means "since." So, since you have been raised to new life with Christ. This is what happened to you when you first believed in Jesus Christ. You were raised from being dead in your sins into new life with Christ. You see, He has been raised from the dead, never to die again, and God has placed you in Jesus, and thus you have new life in Christ. You were raised into new life in Christ.

2. Now, please notice what is said next about what you are to seek,and where Christ is. Col 3:1b "seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God." Another way of saying this, is now that you are a believer, " set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power." That's what it means to seek those things which are above. We move forward now in our new life by setting our sights on the realities of heaven. And, that is where Jesus is bodily, visibly seated. He is right next to the Father, seated at His right hand. We are to keep Christ as the primary focus of our lives.

3. Paul further explains what he has just said, by saying in Col 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Or to put it another way, " Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth." Let heaven fill your thoughts, that one truth, , and secondly, do not only be thinking about things down here on earth"

So, something to do, and something not to do.
One connected with heaven, and one connected with earth. Our thoughts can be directed by us, it's our choice. God wants us to be blessed, and one way is to fill our thoughts about where He is, and where many of our loved ones are, and where we are going. We can rejoice in hope of the glory of God, and what a rejoicing it truly is. Can you think of any better place than Heaven?

4. And, now the final explanation from Paul about all that he has been saying. Col 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. What he means is this, "You ( the old you ) died when Christ died, and your real life ( the new you ) is hidden with Christ in God. This verse is what I would call an "identity" verse. It speaks to your identity now that You have believed.

(1) For you died. Yes, You are still alive physically, but, spiritually, the old you, the person you were before coming to faith has died. It's not easy to understand, thats for sure. But, the Bible says, that Christ our representative died for our sins, and when we come to Him, we also have died. So, your old life is over.

(2) Your new life is hidden with Christ in God. That's where you are now. You have been placed into Christ. This took place also upon your conversion, the Holy Spirit placed you into the body of Christ. You are in Jesus. And Jesus is with God, thus, You are "hidden with Christ in God"

4. So, let's take one last look at these 3 very telling verses about who you are, where you are, and what you are to do, and what you are not to do, only this time, here they are in the NLT Version.

Col 3:1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power.

Col 3:2 Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth.

Col 3:3 For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God

A wonderful joy fills our hearts when we take God's Word to heart. I pray that You do, and that His joy fills you to overflowing.

A prayer:

Father, You are in Heaven. Jesus is in Heaven, and we have been placed into Christ. And, You are calling us to let heaven fill our thoughts, versus the only thinking about the things that are down here on this earth. The decision to follow Your Word has a transforming affect upon our lives.

We may only be able to think about heaven now, but before we know it, our thinking will turn into seeing. I can hardly wait. Thank You Father for the hope of Glory. In Jesus name. Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.