LETTER FOR APRIL 1991
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Dear Friends,

The fact is we are "risen with Christ". This is what the Apostle Paul says of every true believer writing in his letter to the Colossians chapter 3 and verse 1. It is the tremendous result of the resurrection of Jesus for all true Christians.

What does this really mean? Paul speaks of the meaning in the previous chapter. We must start with the words at the beginning of verse 11 in chapter 2 (N I V). The words are "IN HIM".

We were born physically into the world "in Adam". All humanity were and are potentially in Adam, for he was father of us all. Thus the death that Adam brought upon himself, with all its consequences and results, he brought on his posterity, that is on us. Being "in Adam" in his act of disobedience, we were disobedient with him and guilty in him and suffered death in him. All the results of death - separation from God and a bias to wrong - is our experience as human beings.

In like manner when we believe in Jesus, we are transferred from being "in Adam" to being "in Christ". The same principle applies, and so our experience and life is changed, because we were and are potentially in Christ when he lived and died and rose again. So the life Christ victoriously won is our life too. Just as we were in Adam when he sinned, now we are in Christ when he lived and died and rose again and ascended into glory.

This is glorious new life. We are risen with Christ.

Firstly, we have died. Resurrection can only be possible after death. We died with and in Jesus on the cross. The old person, as far as God is concerned, is no more. A new person has been born and risen. So there is no more guilt or condemnation. There is no more judgmental or hell. There is no more experience of God as judge. Colossians 2: 13, 14. The reason is that the one who was and is the sinner has died in Christ.

Secondly, we have risen. We have the resurrection life of Christ. Colossians 2: 12. We are born anew. We have resurrection life, heavenly life. We are delivered from the bondage of the world and the flesh. Sin does not have dominion over us because we have this new holy life within us, which overcomes the sin in our bodies, and by the Holy Spirit gives us victory. The conflict between the flesh and the spirit, between the desires of the body and the desires of the new life, can be and are sometimes very severe, but we have power to overcome.

Thirdly, we have been raised into the heavenly realm of God and our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2: 6). We can breathe spiritually the lovely sweet air of Heaven. We can see the spiritual Glory of Heaven. We can appreciate spiritual and eternal things. We are not now boxed in or confined to this world. We have received eternal life. The Bible and prayer, worship and praise, are new joys.

Fourthly, we have been raised to sit in heavenly places with Christ. We can enter heaven spiritually in prayer and worship. We have entrance into God's presence. We are welcomed into God's presence by God himself, who now loves us with a perfect father's love. We are wrapped around by the love of Christ which is beyond understanding or words to express. We say "my father" in prayer and this is sweetly real and gives peace and assurance to our souls.

Fifthly, we have the hope of glory. We are already processors of eternal life. We have risen. Heaven is our home. Christ has gone before us to prepare a place for us in glory. That blessed life awaits us after this physical life is ended. Our future is secure.

All this is the basis of Paul's exhortation and urging to us in the opening verse of Colossians, chapter 3. As this is true; as we have tasted heaven; as life is within us; then set your heart on what is above. Live in this life and not in the flesh, the earthly nature. He says this, not simply that we may avoid sin, but that we may live in the joy of this new life and the love of God. This is Easter and Christian joy.

Your servant for Christ's sake,