The End In Sight Colossians 3:1-4
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Q&A: “Have you ever been traveling and seen mountains seemingly close, only to find they were still miles away?”
Think about this- At the second coming of Christ, there will be a general assembling of all the redeemed; and those whose life is now hid with Christ, shall then appear with him in his glory.
According to scripture: Heaven will be vastly different from this universe, including no gravity, no thermodynamics, and no light, as we know it.
Colossians 3:1NLT 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.
A Better translation is, “You were raised...” This verb actually means “to be co-resurrected.” Because of your union with Christ you have entered His death and resurrection at the moment of your conversion.
As a believer you are free from ceremonial law. Now you should walk closely with God in gospel obedience. Just as heaven and earth are contrary one to the other, both cannot be followed together; and affection to the one will weaken and abate affection to the other.
Colossians 3:1b...seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
False teachers claimed to possess a secret wisdom and transcendent knowledge meaning; (Beyond and above) normal knowledge.
However Paul taught over and over again that all wisdom and knowledge comes from only through Jesus Christ.
Listen to Romans 11:33-36NKJ Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 34 “For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?” 35 “ Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?” 36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
Matthew Henry wrote: Those that are born again are dead to sin, because its dominion is broken, its power gradually subdued by the operation of grace, and it shall at length be extinguished by the perfection of glory.
Colossians 3:2TM Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.
Verse 2, Paul tells us to, “set our mind on things above...” This word “set” can be translated “think.”
Just as a compass points North, we are to position our thoughts on Jesus Christ. (He has strategically placed His Holy Spirit within.)
Colossians 3:3NLT For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:3TM Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life.
Notice the words- “you died...” The verb’s tense indicates that a death occurred in the past, in this case, the death of Jesus Christ, your sin debt was paid in full! (Hidden with Christ in God.)
Colossians 3:3b...Hidden with Christ in God.
This rich expression has a three-fold meaning:
1). All believers share in a common spiritual life. “We live by faith!”
2). The world can’t understand the full impact of the believer’s new life.
3). Believer’s are secure and protected with full access to all of God’s blessings. (You are blessed!)
2 Corinthians 5:17NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
1 Peter 3:3-4NLT All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.
Colossians 3:4NLT And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
At Jesus’ second coming, you will share His glory! Listen to Revelation 19:11-13,15-16NLT Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. 12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. 15.From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. 16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
Just as the mountains, or even the moon seem so close, so is the return of Christ.
The end is in sight, so where are you laying up your treasures? (Eternal value or temporal?)
Prayer.
