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An Invitation, Instruction, and Inheritance - Part 1


An Invitation, Instruction, and Inheritance

Part One of Three – An Invitation

Colossians 3:1- “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.” (NKJV)

               The Epistle of Colossians was written by the Apostle Paul with the theme of the supremacy of Christ.  The Apostle wrote this letter for two different reasons:

1) To combat the dangerous false teachings at Colosse that replaced the centrality and supremacy of Jesus Christ in creation, revelation, redemption, and the church.

2) To stress the true nature of new life in Christ and its requirements upon the believer.

               The Apostle Paul’s writings are both doctrinal and practical for the believer.  The first part of His writings usually deal with doctrinal issues, while the latter part of his writings teach the believer practical lessons.  In the first two chapters the Apostle writes to emphasize the true character and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.  In chapter three he begins with practical exhortations about the Christian life. 

The first four verses of Colossians chapter three are very powerful Scriptures.  They teach us valuable lessons about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how to live an overcoming life.  In these four verses there is an invitation, instructions, and a promise of an inheritance for the believer in Christ.

Colossians 3:1 reads, “If then your were raised with Christ…” The first word in this sentence is very important. It is the word, “If.”  This is an invitation to experience new life in Christ Jesus. Have you ever asked yourself the question, "What if?"  What if I had taken another route?  If I had done things differently there would be a different outcome.

The Apostle Paul is writing to extend an invitation.  If you will accept the Lord Jesus Christ, then you can be born again, saved by your faith in believing His Word. He is inviting us to a union with Christ.  II Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (creation); old things are passed away, behold all things are become new."

              The word, “if,” although it is small is a very important Biblical word.  It is a covenant word.  It is used to provoke a response, or to ask a question.  It is used to set down conditions, such as, if you do a certain thing, then I will do a certain thing.

One such example is found in I John 1:9 reads, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The invitation is given for us to be made alive with Christ by entering into His resurrection.

Why is there an invitation to be made alive in Christ? Ephesians 2:1 teaches, "And you hath he made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins;" When Adam sinned the result was death, spiritual death, which is alienation from God, and eventually physical death.  Because of this spiritual death there is an invitation to be raised in newness of life through Christ Jesus.

Through out the Word of God there is an invitation for man to come back to God.  Sin disrupted our fellowship and separated us from our creator, but in His love He has made a way for us to return to Him.  Why not heed the invitation to be made alive in Christ.  John 3:17 reveals, “For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved."

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