Introduction
A little girl received a letter from the King that told her He had adopted her as His daughter. She was to journey to the palace which was now her home. Along the way she had specific instructions He had given her to follow. Most of her neighbors laughed when they saw it and took it as nothing more than a practical joke. When they saw that she believed it and planned to act on its instructions, they mocked her and sought to dissuade her. Nothing the new princess could say would convince her neighbors or show them why she believed the King’s missive. But she had full faith in her King and began her journey. You can imagine her carefully studying and following His instructions along the way. Nothing –candy, toys, comforts – could distract her from her goal. Once a merchant tried to woo her with a promise of fine clothes. With polite firmness she told him that she was to have much finer clothes by and by. She just kept on her way, looking straight ahead to her life to come. This constant focus on her new identity and home encouraged her and gave her strength to press on. You too have received an invitation from the King of the universe. He sent His Son to pay the debt for all of your sin so that you could be accepted in God’s sight. He desires to adopt you to make you His child and heir of all He possesses. He has given you His Word to guide your path and show you how to live. He has given you His Holy Spirit to be your Guide and Comforter. Colossians 3:1-4 speaks of how this reality shapes a Christian’s life. Those who believe God’s gift of life will live for and love heaven and the Savior who died and rose again to make it theirs.
Observation
Pray
Before reading and studying this passage of the Bible, or any other, pray and ask God to give you wisdom, convict you, bring encouragement, and direct you through it.
Read Focus Verses
Today’s passage may be short, but it is so full of glorious truth. Read Colossians 3:1-4 and see if you can pick out the theme of these verses.
Keyword – Risen
Though it only appears once in these verses, you probably noticed that the word ‘Risen’ is a keyword around which the whole passage revolves.
Risen with Christ
Mark the word risen to highlight its significance in this passage.
Who?
How does verse 1 define those people to whom these verses are addressed?
Two Things
What two things are these people who are risen with Christ to do as commanded in verses 1 and 2?
Above
Whose presence defines ‘above’ in verse 1?
Not Here
Where does verse 2 say a believer should not set their affection?
How?
How does verse 3 explain these commands that we should look for and love things above and not on the earth?
Life
Who is a Christian’s life?
Appear
What will happen when Christ appears according to verse 4?
Interpretation
Made Alive
Ephesians 2:4-9 speaks of the way a person is raised with Christ.
How Do You Know?
How do you know if you are risen with Christ?
If Not
If you have not accepted Christ’s free gift of salvation and been raised with Him, Romans 10:9-13 explains how.
Seek
In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus explains what it means to seek those things which are above.
I Spy
What will seeking things above look like in someone’s life? What are some ways you could identify someone who is living for heaven?
Affection
The second command in today’s passage is that a believer set their love on things above not things on the earth. Jesus explains what this will look like in Matthew 6:19-24.
Your Own Words
How would you describe this passage and what it means for your life in your own words?
God’s Right Hand
Many times in Scripture we are told that Jesus Christ sat down on the right hand of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 is especially beautiful.
Christ Lives in Me
Consider what Paul says in Galatians 2:20.
Christ = Life
What are some of the aspects of what it means that Christ is a Christian’s life?
Appear
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 explains what it means that Christ will appear and His people will appear with Him.
With Me
Jesus speaks of believers being with Him in glory in John 14:1-6.
Understanding
How would you describe what Colossians 3:4 means in light of these other passages?
Like Him
Then, as we see in 1 John 3:2, Christians will not only be with Christ, but also be like Him.
Looking For It
Just like Colossians 3, Titus 2:13-14 speaks of how hoping for Christ’s appearing changes a Christian’s life.
Strangers and Pilgrims
Since a Christian is living for heaven, God describes them as strangers and pilgrims on earth several times including in 1 Peter 2:11-12.
Not My Home
This simple gospel song “This World is Not My Home” reflects on these realities and on the place that is a Christian’s home with all its benefits.
Application
Living for Heaven
How are you going to seek things above and set your love and heart on things above – laying up treasure in heaven – today? What will that look like in your life?
Pilgrims on Earth
What will it look like in your life today to not love and seek the things of this earth but to live as a traveler passing through to a much better place?
Wrapup
Closing
We hope this study has helped you understand what it will look like for a Christian to be risen with Christ.
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