Colossians 3:1-4

Setting One's Mind Above

Christians have died with Christ in baptism and been risen with Him to walk in a new life (Colossians 2:12; Colossians 2:20; Romans 6:3-4). Because the Christian has risen with Christ, he should seek spiritual things instead of sensual (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). Christ rules in a spiritual realm, rather than a physical, and expects His followers to concentrate on spiritual living (John 18:36).

Since the one in Christ is no longer alive to sinful pursuits but is alive in Christ, he must set his sights on spiritual things and not worldly. Of course, it is impossible to go out of the world, but the true follower of Christ must strive to keep the world out of him (1 Corinthians 5:9-10). Paul placed great emphasis upon the proper frame of mind to live the Christian life (1 Peter 4:8; Romans 12:1-2).

Men place the bodies of those who die physically in the earth and cover them up. Similarly, those who put to death the man of sin are just as surely buried in Christ, thus hidden. Christ gave the members of His church life by conquering sin for them (Ephesians 2:1). They are hidden in Him until He appears in His glorified form, when all His children will appear with Him (Colossians 3:1-4).