Risen With Christ
Jesus rose from the grave. He didn't remain in it. The grave has no power to hold Him down. In John 10:18 He told us that He has the power to lay down His life and the power to take it up again. He was crucified for the sins of man. He didn't die an ordinary death. His death was to pay a penalty that wasn't His. He died for the sin of the whole world. He paid a price that was ours to pay. He died to set us free from sin and deliver us from the enemy that held us bound because of sin.
The Lord took our place. By accepting His death and resurrection which was on our behalf, we are saved from sin and from the judgment to come. By believing in Him we are reconciled to God. For us that believe in Jesus Christ, we are risen with Him. We are alive with Him. What manner of life is expected of us? How does God require us to live? Colossians 3 gives us a vivid picture of that.
Colossians 3:1-17
[1]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.
[5]Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
[6]Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
[7]in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
[8]But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
[9]Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
[10]and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,
[11]where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
[12]Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
[13]bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
[14]But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
[15]And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
[16]Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
[17]And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
We are to seek the things that are above where our Saviour Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God. We are to seek the Spiritual and the Heavenly. We are to seek only good and the righteousness of God. Our affections are no longer on sin or on anything that defiles. Being risen with Christ our affections are now set on our Heavenly Father and the things that are pleasing to Him.
Jesus Christ is risen, and we are risen with Him. The testimony of our resurrection is the life we live.
Posted: April 09, 2023 02:29 pm
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