Colossians 3:1-4 Worldview

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  Col 3:1–4, ESV.
 
I pray that the resurrection of Jesus is still ringing in your ears from Sunday. It seems like it never really stopped ringing in the ears of the apostle Paul! That is certainly true in the passage we are looking at today. In Colossians 3:1-4, Paul defines the Christian worldview as centered on resurrection life.
 
A worldview is just what it sounds like. It is a way of looking at the world. We all see life through a filter of sorts. We may observe the same objects and events as other people, but our understanding of the fundamental truths that define reality shape how we think about what we observe. The next time the president makes a speech, watch a news report about it on CNN and then one on FOXNEWS. The difference? Worldview.
 
What is the Christian worldview? It is a way of seeing the world in light of who we are in Christ. Paul sums it up for us:
 
Who is a Christian? Christians are those who have been raised with Christ. As they place their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, believers are granted new life. That new life is not the life of this fallen world. It is the life of the heavenlies. Christians are those who have experienced a spiritual resurrection—they are alive with Christ.
 
What does a Christian seek? Christians seek the things above. Alive in Christ, they seek the things befitting their life in Him. Christians are heavenly minded because that is where Christ is. Living in Christ, Christians see life here as the pursuit of life there. That is why Jesus taught His followers to pray “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt 6:10).
 
What will come of it? Someday, Jesus will return—Christ will appear. One of the things that will happen on that day is that His people will appear with Him, in glory. At the coming of Jesus, the true identity of every Christian will be made manifest. Dead or alive, they will receive a physical life befitting their spiritual life in Christ.
 
This is worldview-altering truth! You, Christian, are living right now as one who is truly raised with Christ. You have not yet been physically changed but you have a new life that is hidden with Christ in God. So, you live in this world, here and now, in light of the fact you are alive in Him . . . and knowing that one day, when He returns, who you really are will be revealed. As He returns in glory, you will be glorified—your physical reality will match your spiritual reality.
 
Above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God, there is no coronavirus, no social distancing, no economic fear! And you are alive there right now! Seek that life. Seek Christ. Look forward to the day of glory at His return.
 
That is a Christian worldview—that is my prayer for you today!
 
Pastor Don
 
P.S. If you want to hear a Christian worldview analysis of current events, listen here: https://albertmohler.com/the-briefing.