(Continued from p. 385.)

(Col. 3:2-4.)

Our relation to and identification with Christ has been emphasized in verse one. This is given further development in the following verses.

The relation between the four statements of verses 2 and 3 may be better understood if presented in introversion.

a. "Have your mind on the things that are above, b. not on the things that are on the earth; b. for ye have died,

a. and your life is hid with the Christ in God."

The statements a. a. stand related to one another, and also b. b.

The first of this group might seem almost a repetition of the one in the first verse. There is this difference:to seek means to search after in order to find and acquire for oneself, but "have your mind on" expresses the action of both the intellect and affections. Thus there is the added thought that our seeking or searching is to be in the exercise of all our mental faculties and emotions. The one is more the act itself, the other the constant mental habit or attitude. Again, added truth comes out as to "above." First, it is where Christ is; here we are told that our life is hid with Him who is there.

"Life" appears to be used in this instance not in the sense of vital principle but in that of state, the condition suited to us as quickened together with Christ. It is life, therefore, as meaning the interests, objects, condition in which all our faculties and emotions are to be centered. All this is hidden above with Christ, but we are to seek after and have all our inward disposition set upon what is there which, though hidden as far as the world is concerned, is now revealed to faith. The thought of life here seems somewhat akin to Phil. 3:19, 20. There, in contrast to the minding of earthly things by the enemies of the cross of Christ, we have the fact that the associations of life for us are in the heavens, that "above" where Christ is now sitting and from where He is coming to receive us unto Himself.

Here let us notice the phrase, "in God." It indicates the holy and blessed sphere in which inheres the state or condition expressed in the statement that our life is hidden with Christ. We might say it has its dwelling, as subsisting in most intimate and abiding fellowship, within God. There it has its rest and continuance. It is in as meaning both relation to and association with God.

In antithesis to this closing statement of ver. 3 we have ver. 4. We pass from the thought of being hidden to full manifestation in glory. With this we get a further conception as to life, not what is with Christ, but what Christ is, even "our life." This denotes source, character, relationship, power. It follows that when He who is this to us shall be manifested, we shall be manifested with Him in glory. With this we may link 1 John 3:1,2. Our life is now hidden as far as the world is concerned, just as Christ is hidden from it during the present time. The manifestation in glory will be before it in the future. Now "the world knows us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we children of God, and what we shall be has not yet been manifested; we know that if He is manifested we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."

We must return to consider briefly the middle couplet in vers. 2,3. Here is another antithesis. In contrast to the things that are above we have, "the things that are on the earth." They are not to be the object upon which the mind is set. This does not mean that we are not to engage in useful and legitimate occupations by which we may provide the needful things in a reputable manner (1 Thess. 4:11,12, N. Trans.), nor that we are not to be found in or take up the relationships of life here, for indeed such things are the subject of inspired instruction in this and other epistles. It does mean that though thus engaged and associated together none of the things on the earth with which such relationships have to do are to be made our object. For this we have the things above. This in effect means Christ, and now whatever is taken up is to be performed as service to the Lord. To maintain this attitude at once safeguards us from what cannot be so performed, and is quite different from having these things which are on the earth as our object. He Himself, the present place He fills, and our association with Him there, is our proper object. By the power of this we are lifted above self and the world, and we are enabled to accomplish our labor day by day in the consciousness of the grace of God, the love of Christ, and the fellowship of the Spirit. Thus our ways are purified, carelessness, self-seeking and worldliness excluded, and we joyfully serve the Lord Christ, not our flesh and its desires.

The reason for not having our mind on the things that are on the earth is "ye have died." It is not that we seek to die, or endeavor to die, but we have died. The Preacher declares that the dead have no portion any more in all that is done under the sun (Eccl. 9:6). This is to have its spiritual counterpart in us. "Love not the world, nor the things in the world." The Christian's proper object is outside of them, and his life is in another sphere, "in God." The world lies in the wicked one.

Then the three great truths which form the foundation of Christian place and portion, and as apprehended by faith produce normal Christian life, are, Ye have died with Christ. Ye have been raised with Christ. Ye shall be manifested with Christ in glory. The first brings to an end all our connection with man in the flesh and the world to which he is attached, to which the things on the earth belong.

The second places us in connection with what is outside of that to which we have died, setting us in identification with Christ in His present position, so that the things above are our proper object.

The third declares the future, assuring us that what takes place as to Christ must take place as to us also, for He is our life.

In the light of these weighty considerations we are to fashion all our present mode of life. To this end we have the instructions and exhortations which follow. All of this is to flow forth as the practical effect of the important truths presented here by the apostle.

From this point it may be helpful to give a brief outline.
Ch. 3:1-4. The present object and the end in view.
5-7. Judgment-"Put to death.".

8-11. Divestment – "Put off"

12,13. Investment-"Put on."

14. Adornment-"Add love."

15. Government-presiding peace

16. The indwelling Word.

17. The one Name.

18. Present relationships.

Ch. 4:1.Present relationships.

2-4. A dependent and thankful spirit.

5,6. Attitude towards the world.

7-18. Closing salutations and instructions.

John Bloore
Young Believers' Department