This morning, some texts make declarations (conclusions) or they make conditions. Many times, confusion arises when the text is not rightly divided in application. Arminians call declarative texts conditional, and Calvinists call conditional texts declarative. If the context is speaking of sonship, there is NO condition to be met. Christ has met all the conditions and requirements that are necessary for His people to be manifestly a part of heaven some sweet day. If the context is discipleship, then conditions need to be met to have close fellowship with our Father in heaven. This text has a strong declaration with a command to walk. If we were to try to apply every case of "if" in the Bible as a condition, certainly entanglements would arise in our minds about trying to harmonize Scripture.

However, some cases of "if" in the Bible make statements of conclusion. This is one such case. Paul builds to the 3rd chapter of Colossians by showing how the family and people of God were placed in such a state. So, the opening of the 3^rd chapter is not a condition to make yourself risen with Christ. It is a plain statement of being in that position already. We are risen with Him, and as such, we (in a sense) went back to glory with Him. Manifestly, we will be there wholly and holy on the last day.

However, when He ascended up on high, He led all of His people with Him as His ransomed possession. He finished the work and made the way secure for all the redeemed. Therefore, we are risen with Him.   Now, knowing these things, we ought to seek those things which are above. Our attention in life is pulled in many different directions, but what we seek with our heart (where our treasure is) is not to be famous, rich, and powerful in this world. One preacher said, "If you did not own a particular property, would you really put your effort into trying to own it, govern it, and exact lordship over it?" This world is not our home, and therefore, our purpose in life should not be to exercise lordship over this world.

We have been made stewards who MUST answer to our King. He owns it all, and our actions should not be done for our glory but for His.   Good actions bring glory to His name, and wrongdoing brings shame and reproach. Another wise elder once stated, "If my actions only brought reproach upon me, I might not be as inclined to do what I should. However, our actions can bring a reproach upon ourselves, our families, our communities, our churches, and worst of all the God that we serve."  While God cannot be justly charged with folly, we do wear His seal. Therefore, our affection, attention, and patterns in life should be Godly. 

Finally, Paul states emphatically that Christ is sitting in heaven right now. The fact that He is sitting shows us that His work of redemption is forever accomplished. There is nothing left to accomplish, and He is not coming to this earth a second time to "give folks another chance." To claim this implies that He did not do enough the first time. He will never set foot upon this earth again (in bodily fashion), but rather, we will meet Him in the air in His coming with clouds. Bodily, He is in heaven right now ruling and reigning as He sees fit. How comforting to know that heaven is where He is, and He has promised that we would be there with Him! Heaven is a real place, but the Person there makes it heaven.

In Hope,

Bro Philip