Thursday, September 28

Jesus is my life

Scripture: Colossians 3

Colossians 3:1–3 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, 3 for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Observation

When we are baptized, we die with Christ, are buried and raised to new life with Christ (see Romans 6:1-11). In this chapter, Paul explains the implications of our old self/life being dead, and of our new life in Christ.

He says that our life is “hidden with Christ in God.” 

Two thoughts about that. First, our life is hidden with Christ for safekeeping. We’ve all hidden something for safekeeping. That is the sense of the word “hidden” here. Second, there is something mysterious or cryptic about our life being hidden in Christ. It is unseen, but real. Much about the Christian life is mysterious, unseen, hidden. 

But because our life is hidden in Christ (and he adds, “Christ is our life”), we should be seeking and thinking about “things above where Christ is.” Christ is the focus of our thoughts and efforts—He is our life. 

Application

All of the practical instructions that follow in this chapter are expressions of seeking Jesus and thinking about Jesus because He is our life. 

I find this idea very challenging. If someone were to follow me around for a week, would they conclude that Jesus is my life? What does it look like for me to live like Jesus is my life? And what substitutes do I turn to for life? I feel like I’m often trying to find life in other things—not bad things, but not Jesus. 

Today I want to live like Jesus is my life. 

Prayer: Lord, I love You. This idea is a mystery to me—show me how to live with Jesus as my life. 

More: Isaiah 55-56, Matthew 10