Raised up with (4891)(sungeiro from sun = together + egeiro = to raise) which means to raise together (used also in Col 2:12-note; Eph 2:6-note). Aorist tense indicates our resurrection with Christ is a past tense, completed action, which was reckoned true in our life the moment we by grace thru faith received Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord (Col 2:12-note). We were raised spiritually when Christ was raised physically and this identification (because we are now in an everlasting, unbreakable covenant with our Lord) is the foundation truth for our new spiritual position and our new power to walk in newness of life (Ro 6:4-note). Have been raised up with is also in the passive voice which signifies the power to bring about our resurrection was from outside of us, specifically from God. Note that sunegeiro uses the prefix sun not meta. This may seem to be a small point but it conveys a profound truth because sun [word study] in contrast with meta speaks of an intimate and irrevocable association with another, in this case with the risen and exalted Christ. Can you see the implications if our life is intimately bound with Christ? Clearly His infinite, inexhaustible resurrection power is available to all believers! Oh, how often do we life like spiritual paupers, when we are children of the Almighty God and have access to all the resources of the King of kings! Lord we pray that "the eyes of (our) heart may be enlightened, so that (we) may know what is...the surpassing greatness of (Your) power (see what this power did in Ep 1:20, 21) toward us who believe." Amen (Eph 1:18, 19-note) The internal (eternal) change wrought by our co-resurrection with Christ should lead to an external change. If not then perhaps we need to ponder 2Cor 13:5-note. Our holy position should show itself to be the "real thing" by our holy practice (direction not perfection). Emphasizing our new life in Christ Paul explained to the Galatians that... through the Law I died to the Law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ (perfect tense = past completed act with present continuing effect/result connoting permanence of our co-crucifixion. In short, we cannot be "un" crucified! Another strong evidence against the false teaching that you can lose your salvation!); and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. (Gal 2:19,20-note) Spurgeon compares our co-resurrection to the metaphor of a seed The buried seed rises from the ground, but not as a seed, for it puts forth green leaf, and bud, and stem, and gradually develops expanding flower and fruit, and even so we wear a new form (2Cor 5:17-note), for we are renewed after the image of him that created us in righteousness and holiness...There was corruption in our mind and it was working irresistibly towards every evil and offensive thing. In many the corruption did not appear upon the surface, but it worked within; in others it was conspicuous and fearful to look upon. How great the change! For now the power of corruption within us is broken, the new life has overcome it, for it is a living and incorruptible seed which liveth and abideth for ever (1Pe 1:23-note). Corruption is upon the old nature, but it cannot touch the new, which is our true and real self. Is it not a great thing to be purged of the filthiness which would have ultimately brought us down to Tophet where the fire unquenchable burns, and the worm undying feeds upon the corrupt?... Let us think of this (our spiritual resurrection with Christ), for our Lord did not have his head quickened while his feet remained in the sepulcher; but he rose a perfect and entire man, alive throughout. Even so have we been renewed in every part (Ed: Our position). We have received, though it be but in its infancy, a perfect spiritual life: we are perfect in Christ Jesus (Positionally speaking - cp Col 2:10-note). In our inner man our eye is opened, our ear is awakened, our hand is active, our foot is nimble: our every faculty is there, though as yet immature, and needing development, and having the old dead nature to contend with.... On the day of our quickening (our new birth, our regeneration) we bid farewell to spiritual death, and to the sepulcher wherein we slept under sin’s dominion (Ro 6:11-note). Farewell, thou deadly love of sin; we have done with thee! Farewell, dead world, corrupt world; we have done with thee! Christ has raised us. Christ has given us eternal life. We forsake for ever the dreary abodes of death, and seek the heavenly places. Our Jesus lives, and because he lives we shall live also, world without end. (References added) (Excerpt from Following the Risen Christ) Spurgeon goes on to describe the implications of our resurrection with Christ... I. OUR SPIRITUAL RISING WITH CHRIST. The “if” is used logically, not theologically, by way of argument, and not by way of doubt. 1. We were dead in sin, but having believed in Christ we have been quickened by the Holy Ghost, and we are dead no longer. We remember the first sensation of life, how it seemed to tingle just as drowning persons when coming back to life suffer great pain. Conviction was wrought in us, and a dread of judgment, and a sense of condemnation, but these were tokens of life, but that life gradually deepened until the eye was opened, and the restored hand stretched itself out, the foot began to move in the way of obedience, and the heart felt the sweet glow of love within. 2. There has been wrought in us a wonderful change. Before regeneration our soul was as our body will be when it dies. (1) Sown in corruption. In some cases it did not appear on the surface; in others it was something fearful to look upon. Now the new life has overcome it, for it is an incorruptible seed, and liveth for ever. (2) In dishonour. Sin is a shameful thing; but “behold what manner of love” (1Jn 3:1). “Since thou wast precious in my sight,” etc. “Unto you which believe He is an honour.” (3) In weakness. When we were the captives of sin we could do nothing good; but “when we were without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Now we know the power of His resurrection” (John 1:12; Php 4:13). (4) A natural body. Aforetime we were natural men, and discerned not the things of the Spirit of God. Now a spirit has been created in us which lives for spiritual objects. 3. In consequence of receiving this life and undergoing this change the things of the world become a tomb to us. To a dead man a tomb is as good a dwelling as he can want; but the moment he lives he cannot endure it.. So when we were natural men earthly things contented us. (1) A merely outward religion satisfied us; a dead form suited a dead soul. Judaism pleased those who put themselves under its yoke; traditions, ordinances make pretty furniture for a dead man’s chamber; but when eternal life enters the soul they are flung off. A living man demands such garments as are suitable for life. 2. Merely carnal objects become as the grave to us, whether sinful pleasures or selfish gains. They are as a coffin to the renewed man: he cries for liberty. 4. We are wholly raised from the dead in a spiritual sense. Our Lord did not have His head quickened while His feet were in the sepulchre. So we have been renewed in every part. We have received, although it be in its infancy, a perfect life in Christ Jesus; our ear is awakened, our eye opened, our feet nimble. 5. We are so raised that we shall die no more. “Christ being raised, death hath no more dominion,” etc. So we. II. LET US EXERCISE THE NEW MAN IN SUITABLE PURSUITS. 1. Let us leave the sepulchre. (1) The vault of a mere outward religion, and worship God in Spirit and in truth. (2) The vault of carnal enjoyments. These ought to be as dead things to the man who is risen with Christ. 2. Let us hasten to forget every evil as our Lord hastened to leave the tomb. He made the three days as short as possible;. so let there be no lingering and hankering after the flesh. 3. As our Lord spent a short season with His disciples, we are to spend our forty days in holy service. (1) In greater seclusion from the world and greater nearness to heaven. (2) In testimony, even as He manifested Himself, to the resurrection power of God. (3) In comforting the saints. (4) In setting everything in order for the furtherance of His kingdom. 4. Let our whole minds ascend to heaven with Christ; not a stray thought. (1) Because we need heavenly things, prize them, and hope to gain them. (2) After heavenly things, faith, hope, etc. (3) Heavenly objects — the glory of God, not your own; the good of man. (4) Heavenly joys. Your treasure is above, let your hearts be with it. 5. What a magnet Christ should be. Where should the wife’s thoughts be but with her absent and beloved one? (1) Christ is sitting, for His work is done; rise and rest with Him. (2) At the right hand of God, in the place of honour and favour. III. LET THE NEW LIFE DELIGHT ITSELF WITH SUITABLE OBJECTS. “Have a relish for things above”; “study them industriously”; “set your mind on them.” What are they? 1. God Himself. “Delight thyself in the Lord.” What is all the world if He be gone; and if you have Him, what though all the world be gone? 2. Jesus who is God, but truly man. Meditate on His Divine Person, His perfect work, etc. 3. The New Jerusalem of the Church triumphant. 4. Heaven, the place of holiness after sin, of rest after work, of riches after poverty, of health and life after sickness and death. (Read Spurgeon's full sermon on Col 3:1-2 Following the Risen Christ) Everett Harrison entitles this section "ATTACHMENT TO CHRIST (Col 3:1—4)" Although the watershed of the epistle has been reached, a hinge, then, binds what follows to what has gone before. Not without justice W. R. Nicholson entitles this paragraph “the true asceticism.” As pointed out in chapter 2, the false asceticism finds its fleshly gratification in its rigors toward the body; and this gratification, as an expression of pride and superiority, is just as reprehensible as the baser forms of physical indulgence. In the proper sense of the term, Christian life is the other-worldly life, for it finds in the contemplation of the celestial the inspiration and strength to manifest a transformed experience while still a part of the terrestrial scene. But this celestial outlook is no mere stargazing. It is the uplifting of the eyes of the heart to Christ, who has now returned to His heavenly home. This preoccupation with “things which are above” is not born of wistfulness, as though one can find relief from the pressures of the world only by looking to a better world. It is not an effort to detach oneself, to find escape. Rather, it is the attitude found in Christ during the days of His flesh, who lived in the bosom of the Father even as He continued His strenuous labors among the children of men. The heavenly realm belongs to the saints; they have their citizenship there (Phil 3:20ASV). Their resurrection with Christ, which Paul states as a fact rather than something clouded by uncertainty (cf. Col 2:12), would be meaningless if it did not involve participation in the heavenly, glorified life of the Saviour with ultimate union in the future, despite the present separation. But life in this world is not conducive to the maintenance of this heavenly tie, so that some resolution is needed—“seek those things which are above.” Lest one stray into contemplation of glories not yet revealed, rivaling the false teachers in their visions, the apostle at once directs attention to Christ seated “on the right hand of God.” His position attests His finished work (Heb 1:3) and proclaims His dignity and power (Ps 110:1—2; Phil 2:9—11). So the seeking of things above is not to be confused with aspiration after the so-called higher things of life idealistically considered, however legitimate they may be; but rather it points to the things that belong to resurrection life. (Ed: "the highest life!") Christians are not immune to the pull of the temporal and material. They need to be seeking all the time the things that belong to the kingdom of God and His righteousness lest they be caught up in worldly pursuits that rob them of spiritual peace and power. (Colossians- Everyman's Bible Commentary- Christ All-Sufficient - page 74) ><>><>><> D L Moody - I have known men who have been up in balloons, and they have told me that when they want to rise higher they just throw out some of the sand with which they ballast the balloon. Now, I believe one reason why so many people are earthly-minded and have so little of the spirit of heaven, is that they have got too much ballast in the shape of love for earthly joys and gains; and what you want is to throw out some of the sand, and you will rise higher. ><>><>><> C. H. Spurgeon - On board iron vessels it is a common thing to see a compass placed aloft, to be as much away from the cause of aberration as possible; a wise hint to us to elevate our affections and desires; the nearer to God, the less swayed by worldly influences. ><>><>><> In his devotional entitled RISEN WITH CHRIST from Our Daily Walk F B Meyer writes... IF! SOME one will say, "He, there's the rub! I'm afraid that is not true of me; my life is sinful and sorrowful; there are no Easter chimes in my soul, no glad fellowship with the Risen Lord; no victory over dark and hostile powers." But if you are Christ's disciple, you may affirm that you are risen in Him! With Christ you lay in the grave, and with Christ you have gone forth, according to the thought and purpose of God, if not in your feelings and experience. This is distinctly taught in Eph 2:1-10 and Romans 6:1-10. The whole Church (including all who believe in our Lord Jesus) has passed into the light of the Easter dawn (Ed: raised to walk in a brand new way of life they had heretofore never been able to experience!); and the one thing for you and me, and all of us, is to begin from this moment to act as if it were a conscious experience, and as we dare to do so we shall have the experience. Notice how the Apostle insists on this: "You died, you were raised with Christ, your life is hid with Christ. Give yourself time to think about it and realize it." The Cross of Jesus stands between you and the constant appeal of the world, as when the neighbours of Christian tried to induce him to return to the City of Destruction. This does not mean that we are to be indifferent to all that is fair and lovely in the life which God has given us, but that the Cross is to separate us from all that is selfish, sensual, and savoring of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1John 2:15-note, 1Jn 2:16-note, 1Jn 2:17-note). Set your mind (present imperative) on things above (Col 3:2-note). "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." (Pr 23:7KJV) How many of us even try to guard our thoughts. The door of our heart stands wide open to the world, the flesh and the devil, with no control of what comes into our mind. Have we ever considered asking God by His Holy Spirit to help us control our thoughts, so that we might think upon holy things, the things that are true and honorable and of good report, a wonderful change would pass over our life (Php 4:7-note, Php 4:8-note). Realize that Christ is your life He is in you! See to it that nothing hinders the output of His glorious indwelling. Never mind if the world of men misunderstand you. Some day your motives and reasons Hill be manifested (Col 3:4-note). PRAYER - Grant, most gracious God, that we may love and seek Thee always and everywhere, and may at length find Thee and for ever hold Thee fast in the life to come. AMEN. ><>><>><> THE RESURRECTION IN THE NT: A PROOF, A PATTERN, A POWER, A PROMISE, A PLEDGE W. H. Griffith Thomas summarizes Colossians 3:1ff The apostle first calls attention to his readers having been "raised together with Christ" (ASV). The English word "if" is employed here in its sense of "since"--"in view of," and the verb is in the indicative mood, so that Paul is clearly assuming this resurrection as a fact, admissive of no doubt. That is to say, these Christians were raised spiritually when Christ was raised physically; and this identification was the foundation of their spiritual position. The resurrection is variously presented in the New Testament as at once a proof, a pattern, a power, a promise, and a pledge. It is the proof of our acceptance of Christ's death and of our acceptance with Him (Ro 4:24, 25-notes): it is to be the pattern of our holy life (Ro 6:4-note); it is also the power for Christian character and service (Eph 1:18, 19, 20- see notes Ep 1:18; 19; 20); it contains the promise of our own physical resurrection (1Th 4:14-note); and it is the pledge of our life hereafter (Jn 14:19). In the present passage our resurrection is associated with Christ's because we are united with Him in such a way that, whatever He did, we are regarded by God the Father as having done also (Col 2:12-note; Ro 6:8-note). THE POWER TO DIE DAILY! Death to self occurred in Romans 6 (Ro 6:6-note) yet the call is to daily death to self as a lifestyle. Death to self is emphasized by the Lord Jesus often (Mt 16:25; Mk 8:35; Lk 9:24;17:33; Jn 12:25). The same truth is also stressed by Paul (Ro 12:1-note, Ro 12:2-note; Ga 2:20-note; 2Ti 2:11, 12-note; Php 2:5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12- see notes Php 2:5; 2:6; 2:7; 2:8; 2:9; 10; 11; 2Co 5:14). Dying to self and living unto God is the very essence of a truly blessed and fulfilling life in this world and that to come. Paul is teaching that death with Christ involves also participation in His resurrection life which releases into the believer’s life a power that is more than adequate as a check against the appetites and attitudes of the lower nature (contrast Col 2:23-note). C. H. Spurgeon in a sermon on Colossians 3:1 entitled "Following the Risen Christ" emphasizes the critical importance of the resurrection of Christ "THE resurrection of our divine Lord from the dead is the corner-stone of Christian doctrine. Perhaps I might more accurately call it the key-stone of the arch of Christianity, for if that fact could be disproved the whole fabric of the gospel would fall to the ground. If Jesus Christ be not risen then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain; ye are yet in your sins. If Christ be not risen, then they which have fallen asleep in Christ have perished, and we ourselves, in missing so glorious a hope as that of resurrection, are of all men the most miserable...Never let us forget that all who are in him rose from the dead in his rising. Next in importance to the fact of the resurrection is the doctrine of the federal headship of Christ, and the unity of all his people with him. It is because we are in Christ that we become partakers of everything that Christ did,-we are circumcised with him, dead with him, buried with him, risen with him, because we cannot be separated from him. We are members of his body, and not a bone of him can be broken. Because that union is most intimate, continuous, and indissoluble, therefore all that concerns him concerns us, and as he rose so all his people have arisen in him...our spiritual resurrection (Col 2:12, 13-note, Ro 6:4,5-note)...is ours as soon as we are led by faith to believe in Jesus Christ...The resurrection blessing is to be perfected by-and-by at the appearing of our Lord and Savior (1Jn 3:2, 3), for then our bodies shall rise again (1Co 15:50ff Torrey's topic "Resurrection"), if we fall asleep before his coming. He redeemed our manhood in its entirety, spirit, soul, and body, and he will not be content until the resurrection which has passed upon our spirit shall pass upon our body too. These dry bones shall live; together with his dead body they shall rise...The buried seed rises from the ground, but not as a seed, for it puts forth green leaf, and bud, and stem, and gradually develops expanding flower and fruit, and even so we wear a new form, for we are renewed after the image of him that created us in righteousness and holiness." (References added) (References added) (CLICK HERE for complete sermon) KEEP SEEKING THE THINGS ABOVE: ta ano zeteite (2PPAM): (John 8:23, Gal 4:26, Php 3:14, Mt 6:20, Ro 12:1,2 Mt 6:33, Mt 7:7 Mt 13:45,Ps 16:11; 17:14,15; 25:14, 73:25,26; Pr 15:24; Lk 12:33; Ro 8:6; 2Co 4:18; Php 3:20,21-note Heb 11:13,14, 15,16) All your aims must center in heaven, where reigns the Christ who has thus exalted you, enthroned on God’s right hand (Lightfoot) "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/colossians_chap_3_word_study.htm#r