There are many great quotes that have come from various leaders and soldiers over the course of history that were meant to encourage those under their leadership. It has been said that during World War 2, there was one Marine Sgt. that looked at each of his men before leading them into enemy fire, he said, “Come on men, do you want to live forever?” He was telling them that life was going to end at some point. The question needs to be posed to each individual, “Do you want to live forever?” Friend, you are going to live forever, so let it be posed this way, “Are you prepared to live forever with God in heaven?”
The theme of Colossians is the preeminent (Supreme) position of Christ. Because Christ is preeminent –we have the ability to be complete in Him (Colossians 2:10). Paul was writing to a people who had the hope of heaven (1:5). What made these so confident in their hope of heaven? How can I have this same assurance? I am prepared to live forever with God if…
…I have been risen with Christ –Colossians 3:1
Baptism is a requirement of salvation (Colossians 2:11-13). In baptism, you are buried with Christ, and then it says you are raised with Him, by faith in the working of God. You understand that God says if you will obey this command, He will cut off the old man of sin, He will forgive you of your sins. God, in baptism, washes away sin –Acts 22:16.
…I am seeking those things which are above –Colossians 3:1-2
Jesus came to get us ready to live forever. He is not dead –He was raised from the dead –and where is He now? He is alive and He is sitting at the right hand of God. We must seek those things which are above because we are also going to be raised. Friend, you are going to live forever!Jesus taught to seek the things above (Matthew 6:19-21). We want to seek the things of heaven because Jesus told us to.He left us that example to follow and we must!
…I am dead –Colossians 3:3
Not literally in this verse, but it speaks of a separation from your old life. Before, you were without the benefits of the blood of Jesus, you are still not going to be perfect, you are still striving to be good, honest, decent, and moral, however, the one without the benefits of the blood of Christ is dead. The old life was one without Christ –it was a life that was living for the here and now exclusively. It was a life that is summed up in the words of those who are living only for today as Paul describes them in 1 Corinthians 15:32 –“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” We are going to live forever –we must die, having separated self from that old person who selfishly lived for the pleasures of this life alone!
…My life is hidden with Christ in God –Colossians 3:3
Crucified, but living. It is similar to Paul’s words in Galatians 2:20–he said he was crucified with Christ –and no longer was it him that was living for himself –but he was living for Christ. Our purpose is to live for Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:21-23). Paul knew that his living was only to do the work of the Lord –to be well-pleasing to Him. Christ must be our life (Colossians 3:4). Is Christ your life? This is an intense statement with eternal ramifications. You are going to live forever –you are unprepared if Christ is not your life!
Are you preparing to live forever? Are you prepared for heaven? Have you been buried with Christ? Is He your life? Praise God for Jesus who gives us the opportunity to be prepared to live forever!
-Adam Orr
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