Victory: Real or Counterfeit (2)
Colossians 3:1-4 (KJV)
There is no interruption in Paul's argument from Colossians 2; in fact, he is building his argument and gives his theological climax in Colossians 3:1-4. In Col. 2:20-23 he has shown the ineffectual results of man-made righteousness: rules, prohibitions, false humility and ascetic self denial. These efforts lead to profound frustration. This was Paul's precise argument in his personal narrative of Rom. 7 that culminated in:"O wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from the body of this death? (7:24)."
Now in Colossians he will address the real «how» of that deliverance. Earlier in Colossians Paul has introduced the blessed fact of our union with Christ in death to sin and self: 1.) Christ in you the hope of glory (1:27); 2.) in him you were also circumcised (cut off) and buried with him in baptism (2:11, 12); 3.) 4.) he has made you alive together with him (13); therefore if (since) you died with Christ (20). These four direct assertions are followed by the reinforced statement of Col. 3:1: "If (since) you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God."
How many more times (five already) does Paul have to state the obvious? This is the new point of departure for the believer, not self effort, but trust, committal and dependence. But it is an active dependence on our death once for all. The command is in the present imperative mood, be seeking. The believer does not fold his arms in passivity, but neither does the victory depend on his doing. Again it is Christ's having done the cross work that provides the new dynamic. The active daily seeking is for the spiritual things where Christ is seated in his full array of glory (1).
To underline further the imperative nature of this faith righteousness (Phil: 3:9), he repeats himself: "Set your mind on things above, not things on the earth" (20). Paul uses the same present tense imperative: Be setting your "mind set," your priorities, your values in things spiritual. He will develop exactly what those are in the following section (3:5-17) and then will apply it to wives, husbands, children, fathers and slaves and masters (3:18-4:1). He will leave no stone unturned. But for now he says it positively twice, and then states it negatively so we cannot be confused. Our "mind" conveys the idea of a world view, how we see the world, through God's eyes and not our culture's lenses.
Paul will return for the sixth time to the fact of Calvary, but it is to that aspect so long forgotten and silenced in our churches: "For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (3). Can there be any greater affirmation or more far reaching truth? It was an aorist (final) death to sin and self at the Cross two thousand years ago in the mind of God. Since that time we have double security of being hidden in Christ who in turn is hidden in God. It is a hidden life as an artesian well, springing up from a boundless source of life and holiness. Can you imagine anything more?
All that is lacking is to be revealed shortly (Col. 3: 4): "When Christ, our life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." It's only a matter of time for this hidden life to be gloriously revealed in its fullness --in glory. To seek the things now "where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God"(3:1) will issue in a glorious future revelation. John Bunyan pictured the muckraker who raked the dirt with bowed head, while Christ stood above him holding a crown ready to place it on his head, if only he had stood erect! Can there be any greater motivation to leave earth's low life to find Heaven's high life? Let all eyes be upon that Cross!
Gordon E. Johnson
February 11. 2005
