Colossians 3:1-5 – “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.  5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”  NKJV

This is a very interesting passage!  I would like for you to consider several words in this passage.  They are words that link sentences.  I am not attempting to give a treatise on English grammar.  If you can accept it, God speaks to us in normal language so that we understand.  He uses grammar that obeys the laws of grammar thus it becomes important for us to notice the grammar as we study scripture. 

Two words stand out in this passage.  In v. 3 the word ‘for’ and in v. 5 the word ‘therefore.’  These two words are incredibly important because they link us back to the previous.  I find it amazing how sometimes the smallest things hold a vital key to understanding.  Listen carefully to what is being said.  Paul writes, “If then you were raised with Christ…”  Think with me about what is being said.  IF that is the case!  That is not the IF of a question but the IF of ‘since.’  Simply, since you have been raised with Christ!  If that is the case, then what are you to do?   In verse 2 you find the answer: “Set your mind on things above.”

Therefore, if it is the case that you have been ‘born again’ or ‘raised with Christ’.  If that is the case, then you have to do something.  You have to ‘set’ your mind on Christ. In verse three we find For.  This is not a new idea this is an explanation.  Do you know why you have to set your mind on things above?  FOR or BECAUSE you have died and now your life is hidden with Christ in God! 

I hope you are tracking with me? When Christ, who is our life comes, we have to change our thinking, because we have a different life.  We are no longer the person we once were and no longer in the place, position, or condition we once were, For we have died!  We left Egypt, passed through the Red Sea, and died.  We said ‘farewell’ to the world. We ‘announced’ our burial.  We have been buried and It is Over!  We are now Alive unto God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Christ is now our life!  That is why you have to ‘set’ your mind on things above, And the fact that you have set your mind on things above; Therefore! 

In light of the fact that you have died, risen, and Christ is your life, you Must adjust your thinking.  It is at that point we must consider the members of our earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, greed, etc.  You now, think about yourself and everything else in a different way for your mind is ‘set’ on things above not on things of earth.  WHY?  Because you are a new person in Christ dead to sin and alive to God! 

Honestly, if you are not ‘born again’ all the self-help books you can read will do little to truly change your life.  They tell you that you can change your life by changing your thinking but leave out something vital.  We do not begin in our ‘thoughts’ we begin in our ‘spirits.’  When a person’s spirit is dead all the positive thinking in the world will only result in them being positively dead and none of that thinking will make them whole.  We are United with Christ and in that, we are united to Love, Gentleness, Joy, and Peace.  We cease traveling the religious road looking for virtues we have been united with Virtue Himself.  Christ in us is the Hope of Glory.  The life we now live in the flesh we live in and through Him. 

God bless you as you go through your day!