THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE In coming to God, appropriating and maintaining spiritual life, and growth, we are wholly reliant upon Jesus. By that I mean there MUST be a vital connection with Jesus through which Divine resources are ministered to us. That is why we are dead "WITH CHRIST" (Rom 6:8), were "buried WITH HIM" (Rom 6:4), and are "risen WITH CHRIST" (Col 3:1). It is why we are "joined TO THE LORD" (1 Cor 6:17), have "fellowship" WITH HIM (1 Cor 1:9), and He is "IN" is (Col 1:27). -- Tomorrow:
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory" (Col 3:1-4)
Devotion 2 of 25
This indispensable identity is not a mere formality. It is a practical necessity. Triumph over the flesh and the appropriation of Divine benefits cannot be realized independently of intimacy with the Lord Jesus. An empty profession cannot compensate for a lack of fellowship with Christ. Disciplines, routines, and procedures, however rigorous, cannot bring spiritual life to us. They cannot improve spiritual life, or promote spiritual growth. If that is what they appear to be doing, the appearance is only a simulation of life, and is not life itself. There is NO life apart from Jesus, who IS Himself the life.
The Spirit will now reason with us on these matters, showing us where our focus MUST be. Our attention must not be riveted upon WAYS to accomplish the will of God, but on the will of God itself. Our hearts must not be turned to METHODS devised by men, but to the Way ordained by God – the Lord Jesus Christ.
IF YOU ARE RISEN WITH CHRIST
"If ye then be risen with Christ . . . " The Spirit reasons with us upon the basis of our association with the Lord Jesus Christ. If we are "complete in Him," then there is NO area of spiritual life that is not addressed in Him. There is NO aspect of our identity with the Living God that is not satisfied in Jesus – not a single one.
IF YE THEN
"If ye then . . . " From the standpoint of language, the word "if" is a "particle of conditionality" – a point upon which another statement is conditioned.
Some versions translate the word "since, then," rather than "if." The point, however, remains the same. The fulfillment of the exhortation depends upon whether the condition that follows exists, or is met. If the condition is found, what is required can be done. If it does not exist, it cannot be done – not through any form of human effort, however rigorous it may be.
In Christ Jesus, there are spiritual causes and effects. The desired effects cannot be realized without the Divinely ordained causes. Profitable results are contingent upon the presence of certain realities and factors. Some affirmations of this principle will serve to underscore its importance. We could refer to this as the ‘IF FACTOR."
1. " . . . IF ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Rom 8:13).
2. "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, IF ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain" (1 Cor 15:1-2).
3. "And IF ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal 3:29).
4. "But IF ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law" (Gal 5:18).
5. "In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight: IF ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel . . . " (Col 1:22-23).
6. "For now we live, IF ye stand fast in the Lord" (1 Thess 3:8).
7. "IF ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons . . . "(Heb 12:7).
8. "And IF ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear" (1 Pet 1:17).
9. "IF ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified" (1 Pet 4:14).
10. "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for IF ye do these things, ye shall never fall" (2 Pet 1:10).
The point that follows, therefore, is something that must be discerned as applicable to us. It is not something to be taken for granted or assumed. The fulfillment of the exhortation that follows will depend upon the "if-factor" here stated: "IF YE THEN BE RISEN WITH CHRIST." If that condition is not met, it is not possible to do what is admonished.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for declaring the causes that produce the effects you require.