Christ is Our Life

Scripture:

Col. 3:1 ¶ So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Col. 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth,
Col. 3:3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col. 3:4 When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

Observation:

When we are born again we receive a new life, one in which we are raised with Christ.  There is a transformation which occurs within our very being and no longer are we focused on the things of this world, but we become focused on the things that are of importance to Christ.  We are united with Christ and therefore his passions are our passions, his desires, our desires.  We begin to see the world around us from Christ’s perspective and in this way our minds become consumed with him. 

How powerful it is to imagine that we have been “hidden with Christ in God.”  We are drawn up into Christ, united with him.  We are invited into a deeply personal relationship with the holy Trinity where we are given new life through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Daily the Spirit breathes life into us and God’s nature of holy love infuses us as we are hidden in God. 

Christ becomes our very life.  He is our life-support; providing us with Spirit-filled air to breathe along with spiritual food and nurture.  To disconnect from him would mean certain death and so we find our lives in him alone.  The beauty of this picture is seen when Christ is revealed and in this revelation we will be seen, for we will be in his presence.  The glory of Christ will be seen in those who have found their lives in him.  He rejoices in those who have been adopted into the family and as a result of finding life in him, reflect the Father’s glory — bearing the family resemblance.  This is our life.  This is our calling.  We are to be found in Christ and it is in Christ that we will find our lives.

Application:

I think that most of us are looking to “feel alive” on a daily basis.  Sometimes we go to extremes to “feel alive,” and there are those that take on risky habits or hobbies in an effort to get that adrenaline rush that makes life feel so vibrant.  There are those who enjoy jumping out of airplanes, or climbing rock walls, or scuba diving, or driving race cars or motorcycles or…well, the list could go on and on.  None of these things are bad, for they truly can be fun, but at the same time, they should not be a substitute for finding our lives in Christ. 

I’m afraid that for many the spiritual life is no longer vibrant, and so there is a desire to find that rush of excitement somewhere else in life.  That’s why we become attracted to these other things, because we want to feel something!  But could it be that we don’t feel anything because we are not putting any effort into our relationship with Christ?  Could it be that we don’t set our minds on things above? 

When I think about the Apostle Paul I think about a pretty exciting life.  He was united with Christ and Christ’s desires were his desires.  He followed the example of Christ by spending time with the Father in prayer on a daily basis.  This was a regular part of his life.  His desire was to know Christ in a deeply intimate way.  Christ was constantly breathing new life into him, and Christ is wanting to breathe new life into us today as well.  Christ will be our life, if we will seek him with all of our hearts. 

From personal experience I can say that the journey with Jesus can be quite exciting.  Every day we can see the hand of God at work as we begin to live in Christ and see the world around us from his perspective.  We begin to see the small miracles that are changing the world.  We see the hurting girl across the room from Jesus’ perspective.  We become engaged in his mission, filled with his passion, because he is our life.  Jesus’ life was never dull.  A life that is lived in Christ is a God-infused life that gives us the excitement of being alive in him on a daily basis. 

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the joy of living in you. Amen.