Priorities Of A Resurrected Life

There are so many wonderful things that God has designed for the spiritual well being of the Christian life that many times are simply ignored or neglected to have their rightful place in the Christian's daily walk, witness and worship. In this text these are not suggestions, but imperatives (commands) for prioritizing the Christ life.

Colossians 3:1-5 ‘If ye then be risen with Christ,’

Consider then that the Christian is called to;

I. Seek Those Things Which Are Above:where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. The word seek in this text gives;

A.Direction To Seek: The word seek means; ‘in order to find out by thinking, meditating, reasoning, to enquire into to seek after, seek for, aim at, strive after’

So the idea is that the seeking or meditating is to be;

1.A Seeking of Heavenly Things:

2. A Seeking of Honorable Things:

3. A Seeking of Holy Things:

The word ‘seek’ in this text also gives;

B. Definition To Seek: ‘where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God’ This defines for us;

1.The Person Of Christ: Meditating on the person of Christ will yield a great peace. Isaiah 26:3 KJV - '3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.' This defines for us;

2. The Position Of Christ: 'Christ sitteth on the right hand of God’ There is so much to be gleaned from the place where Christ is situated. The right hand of God speaks of (Authority, Ability and Auspice). So here we are reminded of the priorities of the resurrected life in glorious person and position of Christ our Lord. We also reminded in this text prioritize our affections;
II. Set Your Affection On Things Above:, 'not on things on the earth.' Another reminder and requirement of The Priorities of the Resurrected Life in Christ.

A.An Upward Affection:  ‘Set Your Affection On Things Above’ The affections of the Christ life are ever upward. The hymn writer penned such an affection, ‘I'm pressing on the upward way, new heights I'm gaining everyday, still praying as I onward bound, Lord lead me in to higher ground..’ The more we purposely set our affections up there, the less we will struggle down here. The Hebrew writer reminded those 1st century Hebrew Christians in Heb 12:1-2 'Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.'  Another reminder and requirement of The Priorities of the Resurrected Life in Christ.

B.An Unrelenting Avoidance:’Not on things on the earth.’
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.’ There remains an insatiable pull from this world below and therefore there must be an unrelenting avoidance about earthly affections. Sin is sweet to the taste, but it is bitter in it's outcome. James the apostle said in (1:14-15) 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.‘ Sin when it is finished,bringeth forth death.’ Christians must be unrelenting in avoiding things that will either delay, detour or destroy their walk and witness for Christ. But how can that be accomplished? Another Priority of Tve Resurrected Life;
III.Slay Those Members That War Against The Soul: 'Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:'

The word mortify speaks of death. ‘to make dead, to put to death, slay, worn out of an impotent old man, to deprive of power, destroy the strength of’

The new life in Christ is just that, 'In Christ.’ But the old man is not eradicated or done away with, therefore believers are in a spiritual warfare, hence the old nature must be dealt with daily. It is a slaying process. Christians must die daily to self, sin and Satan. Two things about this spiritual warefare;

A.Passivity: Will never have victory in such a battle. Daily spiritual victory call for the Christian to engage this battle on all fronts.

B.Persistence: Being persistent will prove difficult, but will produce spiritual discipline. Just a reminder that self, sin and Satan never sound retreat unless the presence of Christ is present. So, Seek those things which are above/ Set your affections above / Slay those that war against the soul.