Colossians 3:1-4

¹ “Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. ³ For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”

Verse 1: Paul is reminding the believers in Colossae of their spiritual union with Christ. As Christ was raised, so have they. As Christ is seated at the right hand of God, so are we. Through faith, we have been raised with him, sharing in His resurrection life. As a result, they are encouraged to set their hearts on heavenly things, where Christ is. This means prioritizing the eternal perspective and focusing on the truth of their identity in Christ.

Verse 2: Paul continues his exhortation to the believers to shift their focus from earthly concerns to heavenly realities. This does not mean neglecting their earthly responsibilities, but rather having a mindset that aligns with their new identity in Christ instead of things that are of the Colossian heresy, the rules and regulations that promised righteous living but genuinely lacked any power to produce it. By setting their minds on things above, they can live in the truth of who they are in him.

Verse 3: Paul emphasizes the believers’ identification with Christ’s death and resurrection. Not only has Christ died, but our old selves have been crucified with him. This does not mean that our old personalities have died. Rather, through faith, our old spirits have died and have been raised to newness of life in him. Their true life is now hidden with Christ in God, secure and protected. We can now be who God built us to be from the beginning.

Verse 4: Christ is not interested in us knowing him through rules and laws. He is much too important for this. Christ is life itself. This means that we exist to know Jesus and express him. Paul also points to the future hope that believers can hold onto. Christ, who is their life, will one day appear in all His glory. And when He does, the believers will also appear with him in glory. This speaks to their future transformation and the full realization of their union with Christ.