You Were Crucified With Christ And Now You’re Alive To God

While growing up as a young Christian, I had studied different materials from several Bible scholars who emphasised the idea of “dying to self” as the true way to live the Christian life. They thought that to do anything that pleases God or to form a liking for the things of God, you should go through this process of “dying to self.” However, as I studied the Scriptures further, I came across Paul’s inspired writing in today’s opening verse. Notice that Colossians 3:3 doesn’t say you should try to die to the world or to self; rather, it says, “For you died…” showing we were dead and our lives are hid with Christ in God!

This changed everything for me as there was no need to “die to self”; we didn’t have to “die” again to be able to serve God. We can do this as new creations of righteousness by directing our desires—by setting our minds and affections on spiritual things. Some people might find engaging in spiritual activities a drag but not you. You’re a brand-new person—a new species of being that never existed before (2 Corinthians 5:17)—dead with Christ to the basic principles of this world (Colossians 2:20). You’re dead to sin and its effects.

It’s why you love to pray; you love to fellowship with other Christians, study and meditate on the Word because your affection is set on Him. You’re dead to the world, and the world is dead to you (Galatians 6:14). This is your new life in Christ. So, it’ll be wrong for you to take some time off, fasting or spending long hours in prayers “to die to the flesh” in order to please God. What you should do is to set your love on Him and things concerning His heavenly Kingdom. Love Him with all your heart, and let the things of the Spirit be more important to you than anything else.