Since We Are Christians

Paul opens Colossians 3 with the statement, “If ye then be risen with Christ” (Col. 3:1, KJV).  The word “if” has the meaning here of “since”—since you have been risen with Christ! To be “risen with Christ” is a reference back to baptism. Earlier, Paul said the Colossians were “Buried with him [Christ] in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead” (Col. 2:12). What Paul, then, is saying in Colossians 3:1-4 is that since we are Christians, there are three things that characterize our life.

We Must Be About Our "Father's Business"

Jesus used the term, “I must be about my Father’s business” when He was twelve years old and His parents found Him in Jerusalem as He astonished the people with His knowledge and wisdom (Lk. 2:41-52). The same idea must characterize our life. Paul says, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1-2).

In these verses, Paul gives two ways that we go about our Father’s business. First, we go about this by seeking the things of God (Col. 3:1). Jesus said that we are to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Mt. 6:33). The Hebrews writer declared, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6).

Second, we go about the Father’s business by focusing our mind on the “things above” (Col. 3:2). The verb translated “set your affection [mind, NKJ]” means to have focus on. This would refer to an inner disposition, while “seek” in the previous verse indicates an outward pursuit. The “things above” are heavenly things, such as the characteristics mentioned in 3:12-17, and they stand in contrast to the “things on the earth” (cf. Col. 2:16-23).

We Have Complete Secrurity

Since we are Christians, our life is completely secure. This is not to say that our physical lives will not suffer (cf. 2 Tim. 3:12), nor that we cannot lose our salvation (cf. Gal. 5:4). Rather, this security  is a spiritual comfort. Paul said, “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). Again, Paul reminds us that we are “dead,” which is a reference to baptism and what that did concerning our former life (cf. Col. 2:12; Rom. 6:3-6). The word “hid” means to conceal, cover, keep secret (Heb. 11:23). It is in the perfect tense, which means that this being hid has taken place in the past (at baptism) with continuing, present results. This verse reveals three things that are involved in our life being hid in Christ. First, we have identity with Christ. When God sees us, He sees Christ. We became one with Christ at baptism (Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:27). We should thus be able to say with Paul, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). Second, we have secrecy with Christ in the sense of being hidden away in Him. In the first century people would hide their valuables in a secret place to keep them from being taken (cf. Mt. 13:44). When we are hidden in Christ, Satan cannot take us, unless, of course, we allow it (cf. Jas. 4:7). Third, we have safety. Because we are “with Christ” and “in God,” we are doubly protected.

We Are Headed For Glory

Because we are about our Father’s business and because we keep ourselves hidden in Christ, when He comes again, we shall be with Him forever. Paul affirms, “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:4). Note what already is—“your life is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3) and what shall be—“then shall ye also appear with him in glory”! The “appearance” of Christ is a reference to His second coming (cf. Heb. 9:27-28). Christ’s coming will be our glorification. Paul elsewhere says, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:16-18). John writes, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 Jn. 3:1).

Only faithful Christians are about their Father’s business, have spiritual security, and are headed for glory. Since we are Christians, these things must characterize us, but how is our life? Are we risen with Christ? Is our life hid with Christ in God? Will we be glorified with Christ when He comes again? Let’s make sure we stay faithful!