RISEN WITH CHRIST

by Elder Tim Brown

        Colossians 3:1: If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

This week, God has brought about many events to demonstrate the frailty of man's life and existence. Our world is obsessed with death and their are many who strive for the right to die above the seeking of life. These are matters of this world and for those who are dead. I exhort you brethren to turn away from this world and look away unto our Lord who is life. This world searches for meaning within themselves and strives in vain to define life absent from God. Many are eager to face death's chilling tide as they arrogantly believe they will be received by God although they have been a great enemy to the faith and have robbed Him of His glory. We live in a world that has created an idol out of the law of  the land and they seek justice and prudence where none can be found for it is absent of God. Brethren do not become angry at the events of this world, look away unto Jesus.

We have not been given such a great faith in order to fight the battles of the dead. We who were once dead in our sin and trespasses are risen in the Lord (Ephesians 2:1). We do not seek to lift up the culture of death, but we are called to live a new (Romans 6:4). We are in search of life and we have been promised that all who seek will find (Matthew 7:7). The elect of God are clothed in the life and righteousness of our Lord and are no longer dead. Do you ever think about the meaning to be risen with Christ. What a wonderful truth to know that the day Christ arose from the dead we arose as well. What an awesome thought to know that our life is not dependent upon ourselves as so many believe. This world preaches over and over whether it be from the false pulpits of this land or from the darks halls of humanism philosophy that God has no sovereign authority in the events of one's life unless he is asked and even then man can overrule and in the matter of death he can intervene if they allow him to. What a heresy, our God is laughing at His creation who usurps the authority of God and robs him of His sovereignty.

If we know that we are risen with Christ then we must come to the knowledge that the life which is given is to grasp the treasures of heaven and let go of the world's tainted treasury of vanity. Brethren we are in a constant battle to apprehend the treasures that cannot be corrupted as our old man, that old flesh, is eager to return to the filth and depravity of sin and the charms of this world. God in His great mercy not only gave us Christ's life but He gave to an undeserving people His faith. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4). The battle is hard, it is tiring, but it is a battle and a war that has been won in our Savior Jesus Christ (1Corinthians 15:57). Christ is the authority and the sovereignty of the omnipotent Father and all He decrees is established and accomplished in Christ Jesus. If your life is found in Christ and Christ is above then the rewards of life are not found on this earth for if it were so Christ would make his home here in the incorruptible earth. Yet he is the way, the truth, and the life for the elect of God. Christ is not found in the goodness of man, he is not found in the corruptible wealth of the world, he is not found in vain success, he is not found in earthly kingdoms for he has gone to prepare a place for His people to prepare an eternal kingdom. Brethren, life is not found on this earth as we see each day the death of man's depraved souls but it is found where even now our spirit is before the Lord. If ye then be risen in Christ, then seek those things which are above.  Blessed be the Lord, for His mercy endureth forever.