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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