Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV)
[3:1] 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.
These verses contain 3 motivations to holiness in the life of the believer, none of which is: God will be mad at you if you don't. Motivation 1: You have been raised with Christ therefore seek those things which exist where Christ is. Motivation 2: You have died and your life is hidden in Christ therefore set your minds on things which exist where Christ is. Motivation 3: Christ is your life, and when he appears you will appear with him in glory.
Glory is not a place, it is a condition. I have often read "you also will appear with him in glory" to mean that I will be in Heaven, but that's not the meaning although that is true. The Glory of Christ is the outward expression of his greatness. God's glory is often expressed in the Bible as brilliant light. The glory of God was expressed at Sinai in flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder and a whole mountain shaking with his presence. The glory of Jesus was expressed on the Mount of Transfiguration when Jesus appeared in clothing so brilliant that no laundry could match their whiteness. Matthew describes is like this: "And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light." (Mt 17:2) What is fascinating is that Moses and Elijah, who were with him, appeared in the same way.
1 John 3:2 says, "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." That is what this passage in Colossians is telling us. When Christ appears we will appear with him in the brilliance of his glory that he shares with us. One writer said that if we saw what we will look like in Heaven we would be tempted to bow down and worship us. We will not become gods nor will we be worshiped, but we will share the glory of Christ. What an incredible motivation to holiness here today. How can someone who will appear in the brilliant glory of Christ ever consider walking in darkness here today?
Father, today may my mind be set on things above. May I live as one who shares the glory of Christ for eternity.
By His grace,
Rick Weinert
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