Hidden In Christ

"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3).

Paul is reminding the Christians at Colossae and us that we are metaphorically speaking "dead"and your "life" meaning your very vigorous life is hid, concealed, you have been given an "escape notice."  Not of ourselves but of Christ in God.  Dead to what?  Where is our life?  What am I to do with this information?  We are dead to our former lives, "In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them" (vs. 7) our way of life that was displeasing to God.  How were we walking that so displeased God?  "...fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (vs. 5b).  How angry is God about this former way of life that many still are practicing?  "For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:" (vs. 6). 


If I died to my former way of life wherein then is my life?  "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory" (vs. 4). GOOD NEWS! Our life is in Christ, it is a new life founded on new and better principles, those principles that protect us for Jesus has removed the stain of reproach that so angers God.  "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross" (Colossians 2:13-14);  Jesus has done it all, He paid the price and now we are hidden in Him, and He has become our life. 


Then let us consider our Faith for we do have a responsibility not of works to receive this life but out of pure love and desire to serve our Savior who has given us this new life.  "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of god.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (vs. 1-2).  Furthermore, "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth..." (vs. 5a).  We have "put off the old man with his deeds" (vs9b) and we have "Put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him" (vs. 10).


From where does that knowledge come from, how can I know the truth?  "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (vs. 16). It is by spending time in God's Word, the Bible, that we obtained the knowledge.  There is in no where else is to be found the truth, not in books written by man's opinions, while they often aid us, we need to verify their words by the standard of truth, the Bible, this and this method alone will protect us from those who would deceive us.  Consider your Faith is it in harmony with the Word of Christ?  


GOOD NEWS! "Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ" (vs. 24). He is our life, we are hidden in Him and in Him is found our salvation for eternal life and protection from evil men in this life.  All our sufficiency is found in Him.  Therefore, "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men" (vs. 23); May this bring peace and hope to you that we are secure in Him no matter the circumstances of our life, God is in control, and we are His so we can rest in that assurance.


Daily Prayer:


Father it is Your Word, the knowledge of You found in Your Word that brings the truth to me, the knowledge and help I need as I walk on this earth.  Thank You for You did not leave me destitute wondering how to please You, it is all in Your Word.  Guide my life, Holy Spirit, and may those in my world see You through me as I allow You to work through me.                                                   Amen