"If then you have been raised with Christ..."

Take a look at Colossians 3:1-4. It says, "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

This week, my pastor taught from this verse. These verses have a great message to offer. Let's take a look at verse one:

Here, Paul is saying that if you've spiritually been raised with Christ then seek the things of Heaven. That is our life's destination - our finish line. It's become our new reality because we can have assurance that that's where we'll be someday. When we embrace our new reality, we have no choice but to devote our lives to serving Christ. Some of you may remember those persistent little green aliens from Toy Story 2 who kept thanking Mr. Potato Head, saying, "You have saved our lives, we are eternally grateful." We should be the same way. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Verse two is a reminder that if we're to live lives evidenced with Christ's atonement and as fully functioning followers of Christ, we should be setting our minds on the things above; living with eternity in perspective. This is when everything can change, when our minds are focused on someone other than ourselves and we realize we have a purpose and a future, we can suddenly start living transformed lives that aren't afraid to "do hard things" as my friends Alex and Brett put it. To "run the opposite way" as Leeland put it. To "Live lives with our minds in Heaven and our feet on earth," as my pastor put it. And to "...be transformed by the renewal of your mind..." as the apostle Paul has put it. When our minds are focused on the present state, the only thing to live for is ourselves and our own desires. When in reality, we should be living in the future for a greater cause. The truth is, "We can begin living a heavenly existence here on earth!"

Verse three will offer us hope as we "do hard things" and "run the opposite way" when we face struggles. When we live for the cause of Christ and sometimes suffer the temporary consequences here on earth, we can be comforted that our life is hidden with Christ and that is where our true future is held. Although we have not physically died, our spiritual future is secure in Christ, and that's the future that will really count. As we continue to journey and follow and advance the kingdom of God here on earth, we won't have to always worry about things being perfect, because someday, they will be. It's comforting to know that our spiritual lives are not dependent on the decisions of the world and the schemes of man. No man can pluck me from his hand! As Christians, we need to realize that the limited opportunity that we've been given here on earth was given for a specific purpose.

Verse four: Again, we are reminded that Christ is our life. He is who we abide in. He is our new motive. He is the one voice that we follow. Here we are given a glimpse of what that day will be like; when Christ appears and we also will appear with him. Christ will then no longer be seen as in his first coming as a human and savior but as the King of kings coming to claim his rightful place on the throne. Paul's reminding us that throughout our suffering here in this temporary life, we can rejoice because it will all pay off some day. We can look toward our future and be assured that what we're doing now will someday actually matter.

We now have a purpose to live for and a limited time to act upon it. Will you live a life evidenced with Christ "having been raised with Christ"?