Last time, we began to uncover the truth that God has raised us up with Christ. As we come to know our need for Him, we also come to terms with the fact that we have been raised with Christ.
Colossians 3 has become one of those chapters in my life. You know, the kind. Don’t you? It just keeps popping up. It finds me wherever I go. Why is that such a big deal, anyway? It is in Colossians 3, that we realize the gift that we have been given.
“having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead (Col. 2:12, NIV).”
We have been raised with Christ Jesus.
That is, we have been made alive with our Savior Jesus!
Alive with Christ
Ephesians 2 teaches us the importance of being made alive with Christ, too. First, Colossians though. The highlight verse for us, as believers in Christ Jesus.
- In the 2nd chapter of Ephesians, what does the Apostle Paul say about our previous position (vv. 1-2)?
- How does Paul hint at the reason for our spiritual death (vv. 3)?
- How did we transfer from a spiritual death to life (vv. 4-5)?
Focus
“Believers [Brothers or sisters] who are ·poor [in lowly/humble circumstances] should ·take pride [boast] ·that God has made them spiritually rich [in being raised up; in their exaltation; in their high position] (James 1:9, EXB).”
Our focus needs to be zoomed into our new position with Christ. We have been given a brand new position that truthfully money could never come close to buying, yet we are freely given such a high position.
Because of the great love of our God!
It’s undeserved, but out of His love.
That’s where our JOY and FOCUS should remain.
On our loving Father and Savior.
On the eternal position that God has secured for us!
That’s where the excitement is placed. It isn’t about what kind of car we drive, or how crummy we think our job is, or how many friends we have. It is about who we are in Christ, and letting our relationship with Christ become our security. I can’t speak for all of you, but I know my relationship with my Savior hasn’t always been the place where I sought security. It is in the other things.
The things that truthfully won’t matter one bit when my life is said and done.
It is only then that I will have wished I had “got it” soo much sooner.
Where I lived like Jesus is all I need.
Where I walked by faith.
Where I stood soo confident in knowing He is all I need!
Studying Our New Position
You and I, dear friends, have much to study and pray over this week. So, let us finish what we have started – our study on our new position.
- Read Ephesians 2:6, 7.
- What are we living for, my dear reader? And, how will we respond to this new position in Christ? Take the time to read and meditate on this passage from Colossians.
“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. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Col. 3:1-4, NIV).”
As we celebrate what God has done for us by coming to dwell with us – taking away our sins and offering us life-changing forgiveness, we need to remember where Christ dwells. In this passage, we learn that our Savior is. When He came, He didn’t restrict us to the position we previously held. We are given a new position – which is what James hits on.
“If you are a brother of humble means, celebrate the fact that God has raised you up (James 1:9, VOICE).”
More next time right here on Gracefully Overcoming.
Gracefully Overcoming 