Colossians 3:1-4

Colossians 3:1-4  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 

Paul views the church as triumphant, victorious over all powers, principalities, and authorities.  Because of Christ's finished work, Paul declares our hope of eternal life with God as his children.  We who have been crucified with Christ by accepting his sacrifice for sin by faith have died to ourselves and been raised IN CHRIST to eternal life.  When He, who is our life, appears, we who are hidden in him will be clothed in his robes of glory, glowing with his visage.  His likeness is totally acceptable to a holy God, for Jesus alone completely fulfilled the Law, the sacrifices, and all the regulations of the old covenant.  To this very day, believers need no more sacrifices for sin, no more laws to make us righteous and holy.  Christ alone through his atoning death on the cross brought us into right relationship with God when He poured out his blood as a sin offering.  He is the Sabbath Rest.  He is the embodiment of all the regulations and the fulfillment of every sacrifice.  All who have placed their faith in HIS WORKS are holy as He is holy before God.  IN CHRIST, WE ARE EVERYTHING GOD DESIRES FROM HIS CREATION.  We are as his Son is: the light of the world, the salt of the earth.  We do not wait to be made whole: we are made whole through the cross.  As Paul told the church at Ephesus, As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts.  Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.  But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.  (Ephesians 2:1-8)  

What about the flesh, what about failure, self-esteem issues, our human faults and foibles?  Each one of us knows we sometimes go astray, lose track of what really matters in life, make mistakes we regret.  Certainly those deeds are far from perfect, and we feel guilty, ashamed, and wonder where we stand with the Lord after those experiences.  How can God accept us when we are so easily distracted?   God did not have a halfway plan for his creation when He decided to sacrifice his only begotten Son for us.  He dealt with every aspect of the flesh through Christ.  Because of the shed blood of Jesus, God no longer sees us as enemies or aliens.  He views us as members of his family: his beloved sons and daughters.  Because of the cross and the resurrection, we are as his only begotten Son.  Paul told the church if you have the Spirit of the Lord alive in you, you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. . ..  (Romans 8:15-17)  Similarly, he told the Galatians who were tempted to go back into law,  Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”  So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.  (Galatians 4:6)  The only way we can remove ourselves from this holy relationship is if we knowingly and willfully walk away from God by putting Christ aside, claiming our goodness is enough to please God and we want nothing to do with his best gift, this so-called Messiah, Jesus.  If we put Christ on the cross again, we crucify him afresh in our lives and He becomes dead to us.  The Word stands: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.  (Acts 4:12)  Jesus said, I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  (John 14:6)

You may feel discouraged or defeated, thinking you have failed the Lord or let him down.  The fact you feel remorse is a good sign that your heart is toward him, but actions or events have gotten in the way of your first love for him.  He is nigh you, close by your side, calling you with a faithful, tender, merciful love.  Listen to his call.  Seek that love relationship, the joy that overflowed your heart when you first met him.  Jesus always says, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  (Matthew 11:28-30)  Ask him to set your heart on things above.  Ask him to strengthen you in your innermost being--in the desires of your heart, your choices, your wants, your inclinations.  We know He will say lovingly, "My child you have always been mine.  I love you.  I chose you from the beginning of time.  Fear not, for I am with you."  Open your spiritual ears to hear that voice and to follow that love.  The Holy Spirit is the great Comforter, the best Counselor.  He'll guide you as you walk through this world.  A contrite heart like David's heart pleases God, for God is gentle and long-suffering.  He will hold you near to him if your heartfelt desire is to please him even when you fail miserably in your own strength and human abilities.  His love covers all when we totally yield control to him and fall beneath his mighty hand of protection.  He will feed his flock like a shepherd.  He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart.  He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.  (Isaiah 40:11 NLT)  Praise him today dear breakfast companion, for He loves you and has a  plan for your life.  Our God is an awesome God!