If You Are Risen With Christ

From the Pastor: Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.

“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. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:1-3) There are five things I wish for you to see clearly.

First, “If ye then be risen with Christ,” - The language reveals that this in the passive, which means the subject has been acted upon. “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (Eph. 2:5) The thought is that it is a completed action. “IF” – Is it a truth that you have received freedom from the bondage of the grave with Christ? If so, then the grave can be no more than a prison for the living. Freedom of life has nothing in common with the prison of death.

Second, “seek those things which are above, where Christ setteth” – The word “seek” has its foundation on the throne of one’s desire. Those that are free in the resurrection of Christ passionately desire those things where Christ is; therefore, they expend their lives searching them out. The living ones abhor everything this worldly grave has to offer. Earthly things have no appeal; they must have better things, which are only found where Jesus sits.

Third, “set your affection on things above;” – Notice the singularity of the word “affection.” The one having been raised in the resurrection of Christ is to have his mind set on only one location (heaven) and the things of that location. “Set” means fix and establish a singular affection on heavenly things.

Fourth, “For ye are dead,” – A resurrected one is dead, spiritually speaking, to this world; he is alive in Christ, yes, but not to this world. He is alive to heavenly things. This body in which we walk around is no more than a temporal prison. We shall shed even its bondage of our living spirit through the portals of death.

Fifth, “your life is hid with Christ in God.” – “Hid” means to be tucked securely away and concealed. That which has been resurrected unto life with Christ has its security of life preserved along with Him in the very fullness of God. The world cannot spiritually see us concealed in the bosom of our Father. The sons of God will be unveiled as we return with the Lord in all of His glory.