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"Raised with Christ..."

Text: Colossians 3:1

IDENTIFICATION WITH CHRIST

Christians are not just believers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Scriptures teach us that believers are identified with Christ! To what extent are Christians identified with the Lord Jesus Christ? Let us review the features that Paul had highlighted in his epistle to the Colossians. Four features may be highlighted:-

1. Circumcised with Christ through His circumcision (Colossians 2:11).

2. Buried with Him in baptism (Colossians 2:12).

3. Raised with Him through faith (Colossians 2:12).

4. Made alive together with Him (Colossians 2:13).

RAMIFICATIONS OF THIS IDENTIFICATION

Let us ponder the ramifications of this identification with Christ!

“If then you were raised with Christ,
seek those things which are above, where Christ is,
sitting at the right hand of God.”

Colossians 3:1

1. “If then you were raised with Christ”

a) This is a conditional sentence.

b) This is the first part of the conditional sentence (Called the “protasis”).

c) What kind of conditional sentence is this?

i) The word “if” is considered a reality.

ii) If and the fact is… that believers have been raised with Christ.

2. “Seek those things which are above”

a) This is the second part of the conditional sentence.

b) It is meant to be a logical follow through.

c) The fact that the word “seek” is in the imperative strengthens the sentence significantly.

i) Seeking is imperative.

ii) There must be continual seeking.

iii) This is only logical and correct.

WHERE CHRIST IS, SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD

There is no mistaking what this challenge is.

1. Believers ought not to be earth-bound.

2. We should be ever looking up to the Lord at all times!