Colossians 3:1-17 Provides a great amount of instruction for how a Christian should pursue holiness and godly living. This post is the first in a three part series where we will uncover what this passage has to say about this important topic. Paul wants his readers to pursue holiness and godly living because of who they are in Christ. He writes:
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on Earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in Glory..
In this first section Paul instructs his readers as to how they should organize their thoughts because of their identity in Christ. This new identity should lead them to focus on the things above and not on things that are on this Earth (vv. 1-2). He says, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above.” A person who has new life, resurrected from the dead, has new priorities, desires, and passions. He no longer strives for things that are only meant to satisfy a person on this earth, but he begins to think about life with eternity in mind. For example, he does not just think about how money can be used to purchase the things that will make him happy, but he thinks about how that same money can be used to advance the Kingdom of God. He does not view his job through the lens of power and advancement, but he sees it as his own personal mission field. And he does not approach social gatherings as a place where he can simply relax and have fun, but he approaches these situations with the intention of building relationships so that he can share the gospel. This new identity in Christ reorients his thinking so that he views his life with an eternal perspective, and not with a self-centered, self-gratifying, self-advancing agenda.
Paul then tells his audience why they should have this eternal, heavenly perspective. They must think this way because they have died. They have died to themselves, and they now live for Christ (v. 3). They no longer have their own identity, but their identity is completely wrapped up in Christ. He states, “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Elsewhere, Paul writes, “For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me (Gal 2:20).” A Christian must die to self daily, embracing his new identity in Christ. This new identity frees a person from having to worry about the temporary issues faced on this Earth.
Finally, this new identity in Christ provides a Christian with hope. Paul reminds his readers that as a result of their identity they will appear with Christ in glory (v. 4). Dyeing to self, removing one’s focus from earthly things, and embracing one’s identity in Christ means that a Christian no longer needs to worry about his future. He can be confident that no matter what happens on this Earth, he has the hope of appearing with Christ in glory. For this reason he can be free to remove his focus from earthly things, focusing on things that are above.
Where is your focus? Do you continue to focus on earthly things, allowing them to control your attitudes and emotions? Or do you focus on heavenly things, freeing yourself from anxiety, fear, and the need to be in control of your life? How does someone change their focus? The answer to this last question will be the focus of the next two post as we continue to examine Colossians 3:1-17.