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COLOSSIANS 3:1-4

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

So, if neither religious compromise, replacement experiences, or hollow philosophies of this world succeed at taming the rebellious soul, what will? “...making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:16)

How the Christian life succeeds... this is how you overcome the compulsion to sin, resist worldly ideas and lifestyles, and embrace godly ones...How badly do you want it?

WHAT’S IN YOUR HEAD?

Christ took your sin-addicted self to the cross and YOU died (2:20); you were then made alive (2:13), raised with Christ (3:1) to have permanent access to God’s resurrecting power to live for Christ by being hidden with Christ (3:3). So, if this is so of you...

1. Keep seeking the things above where Christ is. (3:1; cf. Ps 110: 1,4)

“above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (see Ps. 110:1)—the promised Priest-King

Realities of the age to come.

Freed from worldly affections to have new affections in a new direction—the realm/direction where Christ now and forever reigns, so that the eternal realities of the age to come shape life plans—how you aim your life.

Saturate your heart for where you really are!

2. Set your mind on what is on the mind of Christ. (3:2)

“on above things, not on earthly things”

“Do not be conformed any longer to this world, but be transformed BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND.” (Rom. 12:1,2)

Called to cultivate new inner priorities that think like Christ—“not just seeking heaven, but thinking heaven now.” (Lightfoot) “Have this attitude (mind) which was also in Christ Jesus,...” (Phil. 2:5)

People and churches must urgently resist the temptation to downgrade the “above” to more conveniently fit on the earth.

Feed your mind for who you really have become!

Because...

Christ IS your life. (3:3-4; cf. Gal. 2:20)

YOU are hidden--The Christian life isn’t about you and your life

–it is the old, unhealthy life increasingly disappearing behind Christ until only Christ is visible and the glory of your transformation, being mostly hidden, bursts forth in blinding brilliance at the time of Christ’s appearing.

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared YET what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM, because we shall see Him just as He is. (1 Jn. 3:2; cf. Dan. 12:3; Phil. 3:20-21)

Getting your practice to where you already are in position requires total commitment and cooperation in embracing all the spiritual helps Christ is holding out to you...”and everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 Jn. 3:3)

You will counteract what is passively subsuming you when this quest actively consumes you. The active behaviour of really, really believing!

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