Are you Alive ... Really?

Are you Alive…really?    Colossians 3.1-4       . . . . . . Don't forget--you can read briefing or listen to podcast!  Want to see earlier briefings? Pastorwoman website

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ…

Arise! 

Jesus said, I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly …then he was crucified and rose again—defeating death—all to offer us that most abundant life. Paul starts this passage with “Since,” implying that a transaction has occurred.  In this case, the transaction was our acceptance of Christ’s offer of new life.  Take a look:  Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.  Colossians 3.1-4

 Life in Christ includes forgiveness of sin, Jesus as the Leader of our lives, and the promise of forever with him.  Yes, life in Christ is indeed eternal, but most of us operate as though it begins when our bodies die.  Think about it.  But what it really means is abundant fullness of life even now.  You see, when we assumed our new lives in Christ, it means we will live eternally with him, but are also now fully alive in him, just as Paul himself said, “for to me to live is Christ.”¹ It means defeat of sin when we apprehend our new identities in him.  Our exalted position in Christ (that Paul talks about here) is not a hypothetical thing or a goal for which we strive.  It is an accomplished fact.² It was part of the “It is finished”. 

Let’s stop here for a moment – perhaps that “since” assumes a contract you have not entered into—a relationship that is not yours; what I mean is, perhaps you do not have new life in Christ, perhaps you just have religion.  Think of that sad state of affairs: religion without the truth of relationship with your Savior, Jesus Christ.  Then again, perhaps you profess belief in a god, several gods, or even Jesus, but you have never entered into relationship with him.  After all, James said, even the demons believe.³

Your individual decision to enter into a relationship with Christ is the single most important decision you will ever make.  It not only impacts this moment in time, but your ‘forever’.  While there is no one right way to express your heart, there are a few things to think of:  Admit you are a sinner, and want to be forgiven of your sins; Believe that Jesus Christ, Son of God, paid for your sins on the cross because of his great love for you; Come to him, and offer yourself to his leadership.  Pray to him, and tell him these things.  He will take up residence in your life—you will never be without him again.  God promises, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”⁴  

And now, you have entered new life.  Amen!

1 Philippians 1.21

2 Warren Wiersbe, NT Bible Commentary

3 James 2.19

4 Hebrews 13.5