Scripture

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God’s right hand.

Observation

We have been raised to new life with Christ, so therefore we should keep our eyes on Him, in heaven next to God. We should concern ourselves with the things of heaven not of earth.

We have died to this life, and our real life is with Christ. When Christ is revealed to the world we will share in His glory.

Application

Migrants to a new country can find it hard to fit in at first. They may have to learn a new language. They have to learn new customs and navigate a culture that seems alien, and yet everyone around seems to accept it as the only reality.

Even a relatively small change like moving from England to Australia is fraught with a big learning curve of different road rules, different names for everyday objects and different world views

We have been called to a much bigger leap. As followers of Jesus, we have been raised to a new life in heaven with him. This means we have a new citizenship, a new culture, new values.

Unlike a migrant to a new nation, we are surrounded by people living in the worldly culture. We can be tempted to cut ourselves off from the world to stay clean, or to give in to the temptations of the world and live like everyone else.

Jesus wants us to follow Him, to live for Him, and to focus on heaven, all while living in this world with all of its responsibilities and distractions.

The key is to keep our focus on heaven even while we live in the world. We remain as ambassadors of God’s Kingdom, representing Jesus to our friends and co-workers.

Prayer

Lord please help me to keep my focus on the things of heaven , even while I live in the world. Amen.

Scripture

For you were buried with Christ when you were baptised. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

Observation

When we came to Christ, we were spiritually circumcised. We were buried with Christ in baptism and raised to new life through the mighty power of God.

We were dead in our sins, but God cancelled our sins and brought us to life. In doing this, God disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities.

So now we are free from condemnation. People try to impose rules on what we can eat or touch and rules about religion. This comes from sinful minds of people who are not connected to Christ.

We have died with Christ, and He has set us free from spiritual powers. Do not go back to the rules of this world which do not help us to overcome our evil desires.

Application

When we were baptised into Christ, we were baptised into his death and resurrection. We are new creations in Christ, born again by the mighty power of God.

A new life means a new body that is not subject to the rules and regulations of the old life.

We are conquerors, which means that Satan no longer has any hold over us. He could trick us into sinning in the old flesh, but in this new life, his only recourse is to make us forget our position in Christ.

I am baptised into the death and resurrection of Christ. The old life of death of death and sin no longer controls me.

Prayer

Lord, I praise you! You have given me a new life in Christ. Hallelujah! Amen.

Scripture

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Observation

Paul agonises for those believers he has never met personally. He wants them to understand God’s mysterious plan, that is, Christ.

Just as we accepted Christ as Lord, we must continue to grow in Him, putting deep roots into Him so that our faith is strong.

Empty philosophies and high sanding nonsense come from demonic powers, not from Christ. We should ignore these because Christ is the one who completes us.

Application

How can I put my roots down into Christ?

Firstly, I need to talk with Him regularly. Prayer and listening, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me deepen my relationship with Him.

Secondly, I must read the Scriptures. The Bible is God’s word, my daily bread.

Thirdly, in fellowship with other Christians, I can worship, pray, and share in faith.

Fourthly, obedience to Christ is essential. I must continually turn away from sin and towards Christ. I must learn to love my neighbour as myself, and to love God with all my heart, with all my mind, and with all my strength.

There are many ways to draw near to Christ. The cares of this world and its distractions can lead me to neglect these things, so I need to build them into my daily life and monitor my spiritual temperature.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please help me to build my life on you alone. Amen.