Raised Expectations

We all know that the Son of God was born as a baby into a life on earth. We all know that Christ died on the cross. We all know he did this as a vicarious sacrifice to offer atonement for our sins. If the story stopped there, Jesus would be just another nice guy who gave up his life for his beliefs. But the story doesn't stop there! Christ got up from the grave, walked among the believers and then ascended into Heaven. His story did not stop with the crucifixion but continues to this day and forever more.

Now, we are all called to be Christ-like in our attitudes, behavior, thoughts and life. This means that we are to 'die' as he did, though not on the cross. Having the requirement for a blood sacrifice satisfied, we need only die to our selfish, carnal natures. Though Christ needed to die but once, we must die continually, daily. In this way, we participate in the crucifixion of Christ, we are crucified with Christ.

For many people, the thought stops there as though that is the end of it. But inasmuch as we have been crucified with Christ so to have we been resurrected! The mourning of our individual deaths must be replaced with the rejoicing of our new life; the life where Christ lives in us. In this way, in leading a new God-purposed life we share in the resurrection. By death to self, we share the crucifixion. By living for Christ, we share the resurrection.

My study verse today speaks to this matter. Consider...

Colossians 3:1 (NIV)
¹ Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

In this passage, our resurrection in Christ is a foregone conclusion. It teaches that as a result of this 'resurrection' (been raised with Christ), we are to be forever changed. This change is not an involuntary or automatic change and in this passage we learn that we are to intentionally and purposefully redirect our hearts (establish our values) so that they (we) are focused on 'things above.' We are to shun or put to death the patterns of this world and instead live according to raised expectations by living according to the patterns of heaven. The Bible Knowledge Commentary illuminates this thought as "bringing heavenly direction to their earthly duties." What this means practically is that we are 'seek or strive for earnestly' the things of heaven.

By this I do not mean angels, cherubim or any other of the heavenly hosts. I do not speak of golden streets, crystal seas or pearly gates. I mean and I believe that Paul meant that we are to live lives that are pleasing to God. That in every thought and deed we give deference to God's will, setting aside our will that his will may be done on earth as it is in heaven. We do this by placing the ascended, glorified Christ at the center of our universe and then by living a life in orbit around him.

It's easy to envision Christ at the right hand of God, seated in a magnificent throne-room that is distant and unapproachable. In a place where you can look in as you're passing by so that you may take a fading memory with you as you go on about your business. It is altogether different to envision him as always present in your life, always visible and always observing your actions, weighing your thoughts and evaluating your heart. That is the raised expectation that we are to strive towards. That is the realization of setting our hearts on things above.

Shalom,

Carl