Our scripture this morning is Colossians 3:1-3 (NLT).
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
Paul tells us frequently that because of Christ’s sacrifice for us we have been “raised to new life” in Him. This opportunity is offered to all who accept Jesus as their savior and begin to live differently than before. We are to “think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth” because things here are temporary.
This passage gives us the assurance of His love, but also calls us to be mindful of the difference between what we experience here and what we can expect in eternity with Him. Paul says our “real life is hidden with Christ in God.” What a blessing it will be to receive real life!
Dying to our life of sin and living into the forgiveness we have received is what Jesus taught us. He began His public ministry with the admonition to “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17). God is always ready to welcome us back into the life He intends for us, now and eternally.
Gracious God, we are grateful for Your mercy shown through Your gift of Jesus to us. Strengthen us in faith and send us to share Your love with all the world. Amen.
