Young People's Group

CHRIST CENTRED LIVING

by Pastor Mitch
April 21, 2013

Raised Up With Christ

Each time we read and think about Christ’s resurrection, there should be a strong sense of identification with Him. Christ’s resurrection is not merely a historical event. His triumphant victory over death has great ramifications for our lives.

“If then you were raised with Christ” 
Colossians 3:1

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians concerning the privilege of being identified with Christ in His death and resurrection. One of the ways of doing this is through baptism.

“Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” 
Colossians 2:12

When we exercise faith in Christ Jesus and declare our faith in baptism, we are as it were “Buried with Him”. There is a strong sense of identification in Christ whether it is in His death or in being raised up with Him through faith. Even as God raised Jesus from the dead, He also does this work of making up come alive in Christ. He energizes us and works in our life. When we believe that we are complete in Christ, there would come a strong sense of identification with Him.

Setting Our Personal Settings To A Heavenly Setting

“Seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” 
Colossians 3:1-2

When we have a strong association with Christ, there would come a deep love and longing for Him. Christ is now sitting on the right hand of God, reigning as King, triumphant over principalities and powers (Colossians 2:15). Our focus and our heart’s desire would be for the things that are above where Christ is, and not on the things of earth where moth and rust can corrupt. We would set aside wrong desires of uncleanness and covetousness (Colossians 3:5). Where Christ is, there would our heart and our mind be also. Let’s direct our mind towards the Lord and strive after things of eternal value.

Hiding With Chirst

“For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” 
Colossians 3:3

Even as we are identified with Christ, our “old man” is meant to die. We have all died with Christ from all the basic principles of the world (Colossians 2:20) and we are meant to be dead to sin (Romans 6:2) and all its power. Our life and all its potential is now hidden in Christ. The Lord will, bit by bit, reveal this potential that is hidden in Christ. This is Christ in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). He wonderfully protects us by not revealing too much to us for the moment. He will slowly but surely enable us to reach our spiritual potential in Christ as we grow in faith.

Appearing With Christ

“When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” 
Colossians 3:4

One day, we will appear with Christ in glory. The Lord Jesus will most definitely come again soon. He is our life and we will be changed to be like Him. And we will be with Him for all eternity in heaven. Let’s look forward to the day when we will be with the Lord Jesus forever. We shall be like Him and see Him face to face (1 John 3:2). He is our life and our salvation. Let’s long for that day when He will come again. Let’s be ready to meet Him very soon.

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