Raised with Christ

Paul begins the third chapter of his letter to the Colossians with these extraordinary words – “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ…” He’s writing to ordinary church people who were still grappling with the tough challenges of human existence, but he wants to get across that their lives have been utterly transformed by believing in the death and the resurrection of Jesus.

That same thing can be true to us today. As we repent of our sins and trust in the power of the cross, our old life has died – Paul says in Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

In some mysterious way, we begin a whole new existence, reborn as God’s children, when we open our hearts to receive what he offers through his Son. The Easter message about new life in Jesus is powerful and transformative; his blood poured out in one final sacrifice on the cross made all this possible, but the empty tomb sealed the deal for us. Something has changed and a new creation has begun as sin and death are defeated.

As people of the risen king, we are now united with the Lord – “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3). It’s not visible and obvious, but there is a deep and secret new status for us in God’s family, one that is lasting and permanent. We are welcomed into the family of God and are held in a secure place of love. One day he’ll return and all will be revealed (v4).

This is such great news. Yes, we still have the daily demands and struggles of this mortal life and sometimes face awful situations, but we have fresh resources to handle the challenges and pressures as his Spirit comes to live inside us. We are encouraged by Paul not to dwell in earthly things but to set our minds on things above. Jesus is on the throne. In our studies of the Sermon on the Mount on Tuesdays, we’ve been reminded of Jesus’ words about storing up treasures in heaven. May our hearts and focus be on the reign and rule of God – His kingdom come; His will be done. Seeking His kingdom as a priority puts everything else in context and things then begin to fall into place.

The message we declare in this season is that Jesus was raised to life again on the third day. This truth is at the centre of the Christian faith. We can’t prove it scientifically but then it would not be a matter of faith – which is about having, “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see,” (Hebrews 1:11).

May we have fresh confidence in the Gospel, which is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16). What happened in the garden tomb has consequences for us all. When we put our trust in him, our life is then bound to his – and his life is grave-busting life. We who believe are somehow raised with him. Ephesians 2:6 says, “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” This is not a future thing but a present reality. We are lifted beyond the limitations of our mortal existence and something of the glory of heaven is in our hearts.

The best is yet to come, and we will one day truly be raised with him and given a new resurrection body – imperishable and immortal (1 Corinthians 15: 53). For now, we live in the good of all that Jesus has done. Romans 8:11 tells us, “if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

May we have confidence to live in the light of such great promises,

With very best wishes for this awesome season,