Clarity: What If I Live? (part 1 of 3)

Since you were raised from the dead with Christ, aim at what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Think only about the things in heaven, not the things on earth. Your old sinful self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. Christ is your life, and when he comes again, you will share in his glory. So put all evil things out of your life: sexual sinning, doing evil, letting evil thoughts control you, wanting things that are evil, and greed. This is really serving a false god. These things make God angry. In your past, evil life you also did these things.

But now also put these things out of your life: anger, bad temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and using evil words when you talk. Do not lie to each other. You have left your old sinful life and the things you did before. You have begun to live the new life, in which you are being made new and are becoming like the One who made you. This new life brings you the true knowledge of God. In the new life there is no difference between Greeks and Jews, those who are circumcised and those who are not circumcised, or people who are foreigners, or Scythians. There is no difference between slaves and free people. But Christ is in all believers, and Christ is all that is important.
(Colossians 3:1-11 NCV)


We have all heard the classic question – If you died tonight would you go to heaven or hell?

However, the question on most people’s minds is WHAT IF I LIVE?
There has got to be more to this life than this!

• Think about, and comment on, times in your life when you knew there had to be more to life than keeping your head above water.

• I. Jesus First! in me (Col. 3:1-11)
• II. Jesus First! in my relationships (Col. 3:12-17) week of August 8th
• III. Jesus First! at home (Col. 3:18-25) week of August 15th

I. Jesus First! in me (Col. 3:1-11)
“Since you are risen with Christ, set your mind (affection) on things above!” (Col. 3:1) In other words, let your earthly practice be worthy of your heavenly position. Once you were dead in sin (Eph. 2:1-3), but now you are dead to sin. Christ is in you, the hope of glory (Col. 1:27), and someday soon that glory will be revealed (Col. 3:4). In brief, Paul says, “Live up to what Christ has done for you!” This simple principle of Christian living is more powerful than all the rules and regulations men can devise. “You are made full in Him” (Col. 2:10); now live out that fullness in daily life.


Oriental, Greek, and Roman religions said little or nothing about personal holiness. A person could bring sacrifices, say prayers, and go away from the altar to commit terrible sins, and nobody would think he or she was inconsistent. 


Not so with following Jesus! The new life within demands a new life without. Since we have died with Christ, we should put to death (“mortify,” Col. 3:5) impure behavior (see Rom. 6:1-23). “Don’t live the way you used to live,” Paul cautions, “the way the unsaved crowd lives. Christ is your life, and you died with Him. Now, let His life show through you day by day.”


In Col. 3:8-11, Paul compares the new life to a change of clothes: “Put off the old sins as you would take off a filthy garment, and put on the new life of holiness.” But notice that we are able to do this because in Christ we have already put off the old man (Col. 3:9); that is, in Christ the body of flesh (the sinful nature) has been put off through His true circumcision on the cross (Col. 2:11). Physical circumcision to the Old Testament Jew meant entering into a covenant relationship with God. Our spiritual circumcision in Christ means the old nature has been put off, and we may now walk in newness of life.

• Don't waste time analyzing the things you want to leave behind! Focus on the person God sees and is transforming through your relationship through Jesus Christ. "Walk in newness of life!"

 “I’m Glad That’s Cleared Up!”:  You are a new creation. You are a saint. Do not seek to gain control by going somewhere you don’t think Christ will go with you, and then returning to Him with apologies. He never left you!

(Some contents inspired by Warren Weirsbe's Expository Outlines)