“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
– Paul (Colossians 3:2-3)
Many teachings describe these verses as ones of hope. Our lives – hidden in Christ and preserved by Him for eternity. It is encouraging and wonderful to know our place is with Him. And the Bible contains many such encouragements, but is that what Paul is sharing with us here? Ask yourself, if Jesus Christ the Lord were you, what would He be doing? What would He be doing this very day? Now consider what you are doing today. Are they the same? Are you doing the things you think Jesus would be doing?
Me neither. Not always.
I can consider as I write this post that He would be writing it too, but deep within I am aware of a longing for more – much more. I write with the mind of a man, using my experiences and studies to carefully present Truth. That it was inspired by my Lord I am certain, but it is in my discretion that I proceed. I’m focused as I sit in the coffee shop, attentive to the laptop and the thoughts and considerations formulating in my mind and heart. I ignored the conversation between two young men as the one asked the other about taking steroids for muscle building … because I had to write this blog is my first excuse. But would Jesus have ignored them? I don’t believe He would because inside I felt drawn to speak up and suggest a better way. I could have told the young man to take protein instead because his heart will remain strong 20 years from now. That could have led into a witness of Christ. But truthfully I was afraid to speak up, so I chose to continue writing. And although I write to the glory of Jesus, my life at that time was not hidden in Christ.
if Jesus Christ the Lord were you, what would He be doing … this very day? Now consider what you are doing today. Are they the same?
We all can relate in one way or another to this. Does it mean we’re not saved, or not Christian? Of course not. What it does mean is that Jesus is not fulfilling all He would do through us. We’re taking over and doing things ourselves according to our own reasoning. But before you get discouraged I, and I’m sure you, have other experiences where we know we were doing what He wanted to do. So sometimes our lives are hidden in Christ, too.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
– Paul (Galatians 2:20)
The point Paul is stressing is not only are our lives held and preserved in our Lord, but His Life is active with power and authority in ours. When our lives our hidden – hidden so that our own ways and opinions are not acted upon – then His life becomes evident as His ways are active. Jesus Christ the Lord, Who stops writing a blog for a moment to talk to two young men, taking an interest and desiring to share a hope and a future with them. Where I might be afraid, Jesus is not.
“… For you died …” — “… I no longer live …”
Paul was guiding us to understand our lives ended on the cross. Consider the dead. They have no more priorities, or agendas, or preferences, or desires. Their active role in this world is over. And we are also dead – but – Christ now lives in us according to His purpose and will. When our lives are hidden in Him, He is active in this world through us!
Consider this: we all experience situations where we wish Jesus would show up and help. Someone is injured or sick, or they’re oppressed by unclean spirits, or they’re just sad and lonely. If we are there, then Jesus is there – ready and willing to help.
“… I am willing …” – Jesus (Matthew 8:3b)
We need only to live according to His will; to answer the inspiration rising within our hearts rather than give in to the rationalizing within our own thoughts. He is willing and He delights to work through us.
When our lives are hidden in Him, He is active in this world through us!
Don’t be afraid. Exercise your faith and step out. Let Jesus Christ do His work through you. What an astounding testimony Jesus gave when He walked this world as a man – how much more astounding when He still walks through us. Tens, hundreds, thousands, millions of brothers and sisters whose lives are hidden in Christ can make such a difference in bringing many others to salvation. Dare to surrender your life with all its ambitions, and let Jesus make the decisions and take the actions by stirring you up inside. “But what if I make a mistake?” you ask. The answer is, you can’t.
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
– Jesus (John 14:13)
When your heart is for Him and you are responding in faith, He will do. And many others will be drawn to Him because they will have seen Him at work, and heard His words, and experienced His love. Dare to have faith! Take that chance and respond to His stirring. Jesus will never disappoint.
Dare to surrender your life with all its ambitions, and let Jesus make the decisions and take the actions by stirring you up inside.
