No matter what the circumstances begin to look like as spiritual darkness continues to fall, and the days of evil come while this apostasy keeps spreading throughout man-centered evangelicalism, we who are in Christ will understand that the Bible is a supernatural Book.

A truly amazing Book—written by the Spirit for our merciful Father in Heaven to point the way to the focal point of all of human history—our great and mighty, glorious and majestic Lord Jesus Christ.

And let me remind you that this infallible and inerrant Word of the one true and living God says to us:

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

From these verses we can see a few important things that will give us the patience and strength to encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching (cf. Hebrews 10:25)—the Day here being that magnificent Day when our Lord and Master returns for His Church. Verse 1 — Notice who has been raised — you have been raised with Christ.

That’s you—personally—dear Christian! If then — [stated as a matter of fact—past tense] — If then you have been raised with Christ, — [and not just to a new life here on this earth. O no, let’s read on] — seek the things that above. Why? Because that’s where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And God the Holy Spirit tells the true Christian elsewhere in Scripture that God has —  raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6).

And so, this is not just a future condition; the obedient believer will enjoy this position with their Lord right now! This is what is in view as the Apostle Paul exhorts the Christian in verse 2 — Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Now we are ready for the vital truth which Satan has been trying to obscure with great intensity during this darkening apostasy—verse 3 — For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

O what a glorious place for us to be! Friend, if you have been born again, then your life is hidden with Christ in God right now. So finally you understand what Peter means when he tells us as Christians to abstain from the passions of the flesh rooted in our former natures, because in truth we really are sojourners and exiles in this world (1 Peter 2:11).

How comforting it is for us to know that no matter what happens in this sin-sick and cursed creation, the Christian is already seated with our Lord. I come before you today with encouragement because Jesus says to us — “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Beloved of God, the proliferation of militant shenanigans by Satan within the his various seeker sensitive models, be it postevangelicalism or Emergence Christianity—types of which God the Holy Spirit warned us long ago—only serve to remind the true children of our precious Lord to be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. (James 5:8), and Christ Himself tells His Bride — So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. (Matthew 24:33).

Dear one, let us be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might (Ephesians 6:10), as our loving Father in Heaven keeps calling His remnant from the four corners of the earth, because verse 4 of the text above in Colossians is an encouraging reminder for the true Christian that —When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. For — Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! (Psalm 48:1).

See also:

YOU REALLY WANT AN ABUNDANT LIFE?

YOU ARE WORTH MORE THAN MANY SPARROWS

WHERE ARE CHRIST’S SOLDIERS?