Dead, Raised, Hidden

"1If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, your life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory."Colossians 3:1-4 NHEB

In our last post, we worked with looking at our lives and events through the position of being seated with Christ in the heavenlies. Let's look primarily at verse 3-4 this time. "For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory." Paul here is recalling for them a truth that was a part of his revelation. In 2 Corinthians 5:14 - 17 reads: 

"For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge this, that one died for all, therefore all died.He died for all, that those who live should not longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again. Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now own. Even though we have know Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more. Therefore if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, new things have come."

The New Covenant teaches that we died when Christ died. We were raised with Him because we died with Him. The cross then becomes not only substitutionary but also participatory. We have a very vested interest in this Kingdom of God. We are considered already resurrected even though we still live in this body of flesh. Our identity has been totally changed into a resurrected being filled with the Spirit of God - even in flesh. 

This passage in Colossians works from that understanding and tells us we have been hidden with Christ in God. Our lives have been taken and hidden. We do not live for ourselves, but for Him. Every purpose, every energy, every --- every is included. This does not eliminate us, but it is to "hide" us in Him. So He becomes seen through our being. Then verse 4 states: "When Christ, your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory." This clearly lets us know that this is not our time to make sure everyone knows who I am in my flesh. When Christ appears, then I will be revealed in Him. Now He is revealed in me, then I will be revealed in Him. It is an exchange of life that happens in covenant relationship. 

These matters are huge and important for us to receive in concept and thinking. However, do not stress at totally "getting it." For while still in flesh, there is much in Scripture that will remain "seen through a glass darkly," but that should not deter us from looking, then beholding and receiving it not only as truth, but as truth that has the ability to change and renew our minds. Such is the wonder of our Lord and His word. He is awesome!