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

Rhapsody of Realities TeeVo;

Saturday, September 19th, 2020;

DEATH WAS ENOUGH
(You Were Crucified With Christ And Now You’re Alive To God)

? Pastor Chris Oyakhilome;

? TO THE BIBLE
Colossians 3:2-3 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

▶️ LET’S TALK
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.

? Go Deeper
Colossians 2:20; Colossians 3:1-4

? Speak
The Lord is gracious and kind, and He’s the personality of my deepest affection. Wholeheartedly, and with great enthusiasm, I serve the Lord with my spirit, living in His Word, above sin and its destructive effects. I walk in the glory and righteousness of Christ, in life and immortality, joy, health, peace, prosperity, and abundance, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

? Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR
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Galatians 3:26-4:1-20, Obadiah

TWO YEAR
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Luke 23:34-43, 2 Samuel 11-12

▶️ Act
Personalise and declare Colossians 3:2-3.