Growing in Christ: Colossians 3 (1)

Opening Prayer: Psalm 2. 11, 12
Serve the LORD with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Sing Psalm 2.11, 12
(Agincourt: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High!)
Rejoice with fear in Jesus’ grace, and worship before His exalted face!
Beware His anger and judgment grim: How blessed are all who rest in Him!

Read Colossians 3.1-4

Preparation
1. Where does Paul want us to set our minds?

2. Why should we do this?

Meditation
Having warned us against “principles of the world” and being distracted by them from Jesus our Head (chapter 2), Paul turns in chapter 3 to exhort his readers in practical disciplines designed to keep the saints of God growing in faithfulness.

Except that, for many of us, this first discipline won’t seem too practical. Paul instructs us concerning what to seek and how to seek them. We are to “seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God” (v. 1). But what are “those things”? Paul has already alluded to them: Jesus ruling in glory, upholding the cosmos, advancing His Kingdom, gathering His elect, building His Church, filling the world with Himself and His love through faithful saints like the Colossians. Such things are to be our focus; we are to “seek” these things, setting our minds on them (v. 2) so that they become the map, path, and destination of our walk with the Lord.

We will grow in Christ, and thus be strong to resist the shadows and appearances of faith, if we set our minds on Him and His Kingdom, looking to Him to guide us in all our ways. After all, Paul says, our lives have been “hidden with Christ in God” (v. 3; cf. Eph. 2.6). We’re awaiting the day when Jesus will be revealed in all His glory, and we will see Him as He is and be like Him (1 Jn. 3.1-3).

A barrage of cheap substitutes assaults our mind continually – worldly gewgaws, petty attractions, cheap thrills. If we set our mind on Christ – through prayer, meditation, Scripture memorization, singing, and spiritual conversation – we’ll be able to fend off these fleeting distractions and carry out all our proper duties and tasks within a Kingdom perspective and framework.

Strap on the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2.16), and everything you do will help you to grow closer to Him.

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
If then, this is true, it changes everything.
First, we are already dead… “For you died” (v. .3). Condolences.
If then, we are already dead, our life consists only in Christ.
“…your life is hidden with Christ in God” (v. 3). Congratulations.

If then, this is true, it changes everything.
Second, we are to seek Christ… “seek those things which are above, where Christ is…” (v. 1; Ps. 119.112). Constraint.
If then, we are only to seek Christ, we set aside all our earthly focus… “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (v. 2; Gal. 5.22, 23). Control.

If then, this is true, it changes everything.
Third, Christ is our life. There is no other… “When Christ who is our life appears…” (v. 4). “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14.6). Concept.
If then, our life consists only of Him, and our eternal life begins when He appears… “you also will appear with Him in glory” (v. 4). Continue.

If then, this is true, it should change everything.
“So when this corruptible has put on incorruption,
and this mortal has put on immortality,
then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:
‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’” (I Cor. 15.54). Concluded.

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth…And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21.1, 4). Things above to be continued! Eternally.

Reflection
1. What does it mean to set your mind on the things that are above?

2. In what sense is your life hidden with Christ in God? How should knowing this help you in fending off worldly distractions and temptations?

3. How would you counsel a new believer to “seek those things which are above”?

See how Paul has transferred them into heaven itself. For, as I said, he is always bent on showing that they have the very same things that Christ has. Through all his epistles the tenor is this, to show that in all things they are partakers with him. John Chrysostom (344-407), Homilies on Colossians 7

Enrich me today, O Lord, so that knowing and loving You I…

Closing Prayer: Psalm 2.1-10
Praise Jesus Christ, as you see Him, exalted in glory, upholding the cosmos by His Word of power, and putting all His enemies under His feet! Rejoice that your life is hidden in Him with God!

Psalm 2.1-10
(Agincourt: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High!)
Why do the nations vainly rage, conspiring together from age to age?
Earth’s kings and all of their counselors stand against the Lord and His Right Hand:

“Now let us cast His yoke below, His Kingdom authority overthrow!
Throw off His Law, reject His Word; no more be governed by this Lord!”

The Lord in heaven laughs in wrath at all who embark on this cursèd path.
His angry Word to them is plain: “Yet shall My King in Zion reign!”

Proclaim the message far and wide, that God has exalted the Crucified!
From heav’n He sent us His only Son, Who has for us salvation won!

To Christ the Lord be given all who humbly embrace Him and on Him call.
Be wise, be warned: His judgment comes to break the prideful, sinful ones.

T. M. and Susie Moore

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Except as indicated, all Scripture are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available by clicking here.