Colossians 3:1-3
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Paul starts this chapter on practical Christian living with a classic “if-then” statement: If you have been raised to new life through faith in Jesus Christ, then…what? Seek the things that are above. Some people will say, “You are so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good!” That’s a bunch of hogwash. In fact, the more heavenly minded you become…the more you will be a blessing to the world around you. A better spouse. A better parent. A better friend. A better worker or boss. A better citizen. A better neighbor. A better steward. A better everything except a better sinner!
In the next few devotionals, we will go through Paul’s list of what Believers should “put off” as well as what we should “put on.” It’s an exhaustive list and should provide all of us with plenty of conviction as well as plenty of motivation. In short, it is a call to be what you are. I’m sure you have heard a version of the following:
“What I am when I am alone in the presence of God, is what I really am. What I am when I am with other people, should be the same or otherwise my public life is a veritable ‘spiritual charade’. As someone has well said, reputation is what other people think about you. Character is what God knows to be true about you.”
This hits me hard because there are plenty of things in my life that I struggle with privately that you would never know about me in a public setting. Can you relate? In my case, because I have a bit of a public persona, this is particularly difficult. The devil often whispers, “If they knew what I knew!” But God roars back, “I know everything there is to know about you, Steve, and I don’t love you any less! My love for you is unconditional! You didn’t do anything to earn it and you can’t do anything to lose it!” That’s the Gospel. That’s the power of The Cross. That’s Amazing Grace.
That being said, we are still called to pursue holiness. We are still expected to put to death the deeds of the flesh (Rom. 8:13). Jesus said quite frankly, “If you love me you will obey my commands” (Jn. 14:15). So, both realities are true. Fully known. Fully loved. Fully expected to live a new life in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Yes, there is a sort of tension that most of us experience regularly as we wrestle with these truths…but there is also enormous freedom and peace and security…for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
