Since You Died with Christ...

"Since you died with Christ…" (Colossians 2:20).

"Since then you have been raised with Christ…" (Colossians 3:1).

"For you died…" (Colossians 3:3).

Although these things were written to the church at Colossae, I believe that if they are true, they apply to all Christians. Each of the verses ends in an instruction or a command based on the truths:

"Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 'Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!'? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings" (Colossians 2:20-22).

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:1-5).

If Christians have trouble obeying God’s commands, it may be because they have trouble believing that they have died with Christ. Or perhaps they have not died with Christ (in other words, they are not Christians). Our obedience is based upon the completed work that Christ has already done in us. Read Romans 6 a few times.

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Roots by the River

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