October 24

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.—Colossians 3:1, 2.

THE inducements to heavenly-mindedness are now to be considered. And the first argument presented by the apostle, is from our resurrection with Christ. If ye then be risen with Christ.

These words, if ye be risen, are not expressive of doubt, but the language of inference and conclusion: for the assumption, ye are risen with Christ, is presupposed from those things which were contended for in the foregoing chapter, verses 12 and 13.

And this argument proceeds from the cause to the effect: for this our resurrection which we have by Christ, is the efficient principle of the new life, and, therefore, of the new conversation and work. For we must know, that Christ, by the same power wherewith he raised himself from corporeal death, hath raised all his people from spiritual death. Hence said Bernard, "There is a twofold resurrection; one of the soul, which the secret coming of Christ effects; the other of the body, which the glorious coming of Christ will accomplish. And as the outward man will receive in its corporeal resurrection, new life and functions: so in this spiritual resurrection, the inner man now receives new life and a new sensitive power." Hence that injunction of the apostle, Romans 6:4, As Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life. The apostle tells us how this spiritual resurrection is accomplished, Titus 3:15, According to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

These things being laid down, it is clear, that this ought to be the greatest inducement to all believers to seek and savor the things which are above. For he who is risen again is risen to another kind of life; but he who is risen with Christ, he, as far as it can be done in this life, ought to imitate Christ rising again. Therefore, like as Christ, being raised from the dead, cared no more for earthly things, but ascended to heaven to live a glorious and heavenly life: so Christians, who are spiritually raised, ought not to cleave to earthly things and desires, but elevate their minds to heaven.

Hence we observe,

1. It is the duty of Christians to imitate Christ, and to do those things spiritually which Christ did corporeally. For instance: Christ died; we ought in like manner to die to sin: Christ rose again; we ought also to rise to newness of life: Christ ascended into heaven; it is our duty to soar to heaven in mind. This is what the apostle would have us understand in Romans 6:5, where he requires that we, being planted together, should coalesce together in conformity as well to the death as to the resurrection of Christ. "The apostle," says Chrysostom, "would have Christians to be partakers with Christ in all things."

2. It is not only our duty to rise with Christ; but to derive power from the resurrection of Christ for this spiritual resurrection; for that virtue wherewith Christ raised himself, he communicates to all his people to raise up them also. The argument, therefore, from the resurrection of Christ is strong for our spiritual resurrection. Hence the apostle, having laid down the death and resurrection of Christ, subjoins, Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:11.

3. They are now inexcusable who still are absorbed in earthly things and desires; since they have a new nature proportioned and inclined to the things which are above, communicated to them by the quickening power of the resurrection of Christ. Therefore, like as iron which can not raise itself aloft by its nature, yet, by the operation of the magnet acting upon it, is raised upward: so human minds, by their own aptitude being set upon earthly things, by virtue of the resurrection of Christ, can elevate themselves to high and heavenly things.