If You Have Been Raised Up with Christ

Sun and clouds

The resurrection of Christ is one of the matters “of first importance” in the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). It provides us with hope beyond this life (1 Corinthians 15:17-22). We should always remember and give thanks for this event.

As Christ was raised, we must be “raised up with [Him]” (Colossians 3:1). When Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians, he was writing to those who had been raised with Christ. He explained what this obligated them to do. Let us consider what our responsibility is after being “raised up with Christ.

Keep Seeking the Things Above

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4).

We must “keep seeking the things above” because this is “where Christ is” (Colossians 3:1). Since the time of His ascension (Acts 1:9), He has been “seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1). We must keep our focus on Him – “fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) – and not allow ourselves to become distracted by the world (Hebrews 12:1).

Paul reminded these brethren that they had “died” with Christ (Colossians 3:3). This death occurred when they were “buried with Him in baptism” (Colossians 2:12). When we are “baptized into Christ Jesus” we are “baptized into His death” (Romans 6:3). After this, the Lord makes us “alive together with Him” (Colossians 2:13) as we are “raised” to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

Paul then wrote, “When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:4). If we are “raised up with Christ,” and we remain faithful to Him (Revelation 2:10), we will be with Him in the end. This is the ultimate goal. Paul told the brethren in Philippi, “I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…in order that I may attain the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:8-11). We must “press on toward the goal” (Philippians 3:14), remembering that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20), so that we might not lose our reward.

Consider the Members of Your Earthly Body as Dead to Sin

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices” (Colossians 3:5-9).

In the verses above, Paul listed several sins that Christians are to avoid. We can sin in the things that we do (e.g., immorality), say (e.g., abusive speech), and think (e.g., greed). The list given here is certainly not exhaustive. There are other similar lists elsewhere in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Timothy 1:9-10; et al.). Such sins are incompatible with our new life in Christ. Paul told the saints in Rome, “Our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin” (Romans 6:6-7).

After listing various sins, Paul warned the Colossians that “it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience” (Colossians 3:6). Why would the apostle include such a warning to Christians who had been saved from their sins? It is because a Christian, if he chooses to go back to his old life of sin, can still be lost. Peter wrote to those who had “escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust” (2 Peter 1:4) and warned these Christians that they could fall away: “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first” (2 Peter 2:20). Christians who fall away will not escape the “wrath of God [that] will come upon the sons of disobedience” (Colossians 3:6; cf. Hebrews 10:26-29).

Paul then said, “In them you also once walked…” (Colossians 3:7), reminding the brethren of their past life in sin. Each one of us, no matter who we are, has a sinful past. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Those who would deny this and “say that [they] have not sinned…make [God] a liar and His word is not in [them]” (1 John 1:10). But just because we have a sinful past does not mean we should be content with sin in the present. Paul described himself as “foremost of all” sinners, not because he continued in sin, but because he was “formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor” (1 Timothy 1:12-15). We must work to keep our sins in our past (cf. Romans 6:1-2; 1 John 2:1).

Put on the New Self

And have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity” (Colossians 3:10-14).

As we “have put on the new self,” we are “being renewed…” (Colossians 3:10). This suggests that there is a continual process of renewal for God’s people. Before we can die with Christ and be raised with Him (Romans 6:3-4), we must repent, considering ourselves to be “dead to sin” (Romans 6:11). This is why Peter preached that those who heard him on the day of Pentecost had to “repent” and then “be baptized” (Acts 2:38).

However, repentance is not sinless perfection; rather, it is a change of direction. Otherwise, no one could ever obey the gospel (cf. 1 John 1:10). As Christians, we must continue to improve and grow. Peter wrote, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Earlier in that letter, Peter listed various characteristics we must add to our faith (2 Peter 1:5-8). The life of a Christian must be marked by continual improvement as we are “being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him” (Colossians 3:10).

Paul also pointed out that of those who will be renewed in Christ, there is “no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all” (Colossians 3:11). We are “all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). When Peter taught the household of Cornelius, he said, “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him” (Acts 10:34-35). The Lord welcomes all who will come to Him, if they will meet His conditions.

This passage ends with Paul listing several traits we are to “put on” (Colossians 3:12-14) – compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love. These traits are the traits of Christ. He is our perfect example (1 Peter 2:21-22). Our renewal must be “according to the image” of Christ (Colossians 3:10).

Conclusion

Those of us who are Christians must remember Paul’s words: “If you have been raised up with Christ” (Colossians 3:1), then focus on the goal (Colossians 3:1-4), repudiate sin (Colossians 3:5-9), and become like Christ (Colossians 3:10-14). These are the things we must strive to do every day.

However, if this had been written to non-Christians, Paul may have started this a little differently: “If you have NOT been raised up with Christ…” If you have not been “buried with Him through baptism” and “raised” to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4), why not?


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Comments

  1. Wayne D. Teel says

    Excellent lesson. I really enjoyed it.

  2. Thanks, Wayne!