If Ye Be Risen, Christ Is Your Life - Part 1305

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)

"If ye then be risen with Christ ... " (Colossians 3:1)

This is an interesting statement, because this first part of the scripture, in and of itself, can be construed as a question. For example, "If ye then be risen with Christ" what's next? 

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God and Timotheus (our brother) is writing to the saints and faithful brethren which are at Colossse. The epistle starts, saying:

"Grace [be] unto you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you. since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love [which ye have] to all the saints, for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the Word of the truth of the gospel -- which is come unto you, as [it is ] in all the world, and brings forth fruit, as [it doth] also in you, since the day ye heard [of it] and knew the grace of God in truth." (Colossians 1:1-6)

But herein the third chapter of Colossians, the question is "if ye then be risen in Christ." 

"If ye then be risen with Christ ..." we should desire to seek those things which are above. (Colossians 3:1)

"If ye then be risen with Christ ... " we should want to set our affection on things above, and not on the earth. (Colossians 3:2)

"If ye then be risen with Christ ... " our lives are hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)

"If ye then be risen with Christ ... " we shall also appear with Christ in glory. (Colossians 3:4)

"If ye then be risen with Christ ... " we should mortify, or die to those things that consist of the earthly, which translated is idolatry.

"If ye then be risen with Christ ... " we can be seen putting off the things that keep us in bondage, putting off the old man with his deeds. (Colossians 3:5-9)

Instead, "If ye then be risen with Christ ... " we should be seen putting on the new, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him who created Him, where there is neither Greek or Jew, circumcision or uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free. (Colossians 3:10-11)

And, "If ye then be risen with Christ ... " He should be our life. (Colossians 3:4)

This is why we -- as believers in Jesus by faith -- as similarly, the elect of God, we put on holy and beloved tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering, forbearing one another and forgiving one another. (Colossians 3:12-13)

Most of all, "If ye then be risen with Christ ... " the Word of Christ dwells in us richly in all wisdom, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord. Because -- as the scriptures state, "If ye then be risen with Christ ... " Christ should and is our all in all. (Colossians 3:16)

Stand in the offering plate.