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The Who, What, Where, Why and When of the Christian
Aug 22 2011 02:24 PM | rev.research in Our Holy Church
"The Who, What, Where, Why and When of the Christian"
Col. 3:1-4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am told that a good news reporter or journalist should rely on five friends when writing. They are named: who, what, where, how, and when. When a good reporter can answer the questions asked by these friends, he will have an accurate article for the paper. The first four verses of chapter 3 help you and I identify what it means to be a Christian. The same five friends that can help a reporter can aid you in your faith and in your witness.
I. THE WHO OF THE CHRISTIAN:
"If ye then be risen with Christ..."
A Critical Who... "If ye then..." This is very critical. The "ye" here is plural. Paul is writing to the whole church. "If all of you..." is a way of saying this but it is a peculiar word here. This portion has been translated, "Since you were... (God's Word) and Therefore, since you* ... (Analytical-Literal Translation). When using the plural form of you, the King James Translators were cautious and used the word "if" because the possibility is that there were some who were not saved. Also, the Greek word does have a "conditional" clause as one of its definitions. The condition of who we are is found in who we are with...
A Crucial Identity... "...be risen with Christ..." A Christian is one who identifies with Christ. It is really basic. A Buddhist identifies with the founder of Buddhism. A Muslim identifies his faith by following Mohammed. I can spot a Redskin fan sometimes because he or she will wear a Redskin jacket. We don't wear a jacket per se but we put on Christ. Paul speaks of the Christian being risen with Christ as we identify with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection. One of the first acts of obedience and identity is what we call believer's baptism. This makesGalatians 2:20 come alive when I read it:
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
This open statement is a reminder. The "who", or identity, helps lead to the "what." If I identity a tool as a hammer, I then have an idea of what it does.
II. THE WHAT OF THE CHRISTIAN:
"...seek those things which are above..."
A Continuous Focus. The tense for the word "seek" is a continuous present tense. Salvation does not begin and end with one's new birth. Though I am justified by the work of the cross, I am in the present tense of salvation. It is called sanctification. It is like the difference between a house and a home. A house is a simple building. I can buy two or three houses. I will have the title. I might not do anything with the houses except inspect them and list them for sale. A home is different. A home is a house that is lived in. There is activity there. It has a sense of life. Why? The focus is different and it is a focus that is active. The direction is to "...those things which are above..." This is our daily responsibility. Think about being a security guard for a moment. The goal of the security guard is to keep the area safe. Today, we have small cameras that are attached to computers. A security guard can watch several points around a building or area from a central location. But the security is only as good as the attention of the guard. If the guard falls asleep, then someone can sneak by the cameras and enter the property. Satan is look for you and I to fall asleep, to get complacent, or even to ignore our duty. To keep you safe from temptation and ruining your witness, you need a continuous focus.
Of Divine Virtues. To focus above is to seek Christ's character for ourselves. The practice of having a time in prayer daily as well as reading the Bible helps keep us focused and in the process of applying divine or heavenly virtues. The best list for this is found in Galatians 5:23:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
Think of these virtues as our code of conduct. The military, certain professions such as practicing law and medicine, and even some social organizations like the boy and girl scouts have a code of conduct. Because a person identifies with an organization with a code of conduct, there is a need to follow through. Because I am a Christian I should behave according to God's code of conduct. Why? It is good for both me and those around me. People who are not Christian do know how we should behave and when we mess up, a non-Christian is very quick to judge you with good reason. So we should follow God"s Code of Conduct, see the divine virtues in such a way that they are...
Reproduced In Us. Let me refer you to Romans 12:2 which says:
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
The key is being transformed. By having a heavenly mindset, that is one focused on Christ, then one can experience the proper sanctification process by which the Holy Spirit works in and with you to be that God can carry out His purpose in you:
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10).
Let me remind you that we are not robots. We do have a responsibility to cooperate with the Spirit in this process. Paul further instructs us in Philippians 4:8:
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Knowing who we are in Christ and what we are to do we move to where we gain our resources from.
III. THE WHERE OF THE CHRISTIAN:
"...where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."
Not Of This World. Our identity is based on the truth that we are in Christ. Jesus said He was not of this world in John8:23 for good reason - He is God. He also said that this world will be judged in John 12:31. Jesus also prayed for His disciples before His arrest and said,
"I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world" (Jn. 17:14).
His kingdom is not of this world as Jesus told Pontius Pilate. As we are in Him, it makes sense that we too are not of this world but...
Seated With Christ. If our life is in Christ, then we are with Him. Paul writes in Ephesians,
"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:5-6).
We know we have a home awaiting us. We know that once we are born again, we are strangers here. We are aliens. We also represent Christ so we are His royal ambassadors on a mission of peace because we are not only seated with Christ but ....
Are In A Place of Honor. The right hand of a king was a special place of honor. That is the Son's right and Christ's earned privilege. As the Son, He has an inheritance. As the Crucified Savior, He earned that seat. As our Lord, He Rules. As our High Priest, He mediates and intercedes. As the Head of the Church, He represents us in that throne. And this is more than a place of honor but ...
A Source of Power. With the Father and the Son present in this verse, there is one Person missing - the Holy Spirit. Christ had to be crucified and be risen before the Holy Spirit could be released into the church. We believe that the Holy Spirit comes to empower us to live the Christian life. He comes with spiritual gifts that we are enabled to use in humility in service and life. This is why Paul writes in Philippians 4:13 ,
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
IV. THE WHY OF THE CHRISTIAN:
"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3).
Why are we to live for Christ? Why do we live differently from the world? Why?
Because We Are Dead! The word "dead" in Hebrew means cutting off or separation. In the old sacrificial system, the priest would cut the throat of the animal. This let blood flow out and thus life is separated from the body. Now what does Paul mean about this phrase, "Ye are dead?" The Bible says the wages of sin is death. Coming to Christ, we are saying that Christ made that payment. Thus if Christ died on the cross, then God sees every believer dying on that same cross.
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?...For he that is dead is freed from sin. (Romans 6:2-3, 7)
Salvation breaks the power of sin. Salvation releases the power of Christ. Salvation changes our identity.
And We Are Alive! From God's perspective, the world is dead. God is the source of life. Salvation brings life as Paul writes in Romans 6:11 ,
"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
This is what we truly treasure. Treasure is something that is kept secured and out of sight. This may be why Paul used the words "hid with Christ in God." It also could be the lack of spiritual discernment by the world. The world does not understand salvation. It rejects God. Many unbelievers resist the Gospel. For them, this treasure is hidden from view. Even Jesus spoke of our where our heart is there will be our treasure. Why we serve is a heart matter. We serve because of the belief that not only has Christ saved us from our sins and God's righteous judgment upon us. We not only serve He rules our lives and we identify as his children. We serve one who will come back one day. Thus we look at ...
IV. THE WHEN OF THE CHRISTIAN:
"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory" (Col. 3:4).
When Salvation Is Complete. There is a future tense for salvation. That will be the moment when we are away from the presence and power of sin. Paul encouraged Timothy with:
"Therefore I endure all things for the elect"s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory" (2 Timothy 2:10).
When you read the book of Revelation, you discover that the church will be with Him when He comes again. He will be reigning in glory and so we will as Paul writes in Romans:
"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together" (Romans 8:17).
Which Keeps Us Future Focused:
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Jesus Christ is coming again. His death, burial, and resurrection gives you and me a future hope. We know we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ. The world can throw its worst at us, and it will, but Christ will prevail. Jesus foretold what His enemies would do. When some demanded that He prove Himself the Messiah through miracles they would accept, Jesus called His critics, a wicked generation and further:
"Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city" (Matt. 23:34).
Remember, all but one apostle was murdered by the enemies of Christ. Jesus did not keep this a secret but before His death He said,
"Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also" (Jn. 15:20).
It was considered a great honor to be a martyr during the first three centuries of the church's history.
Our salvation is not meant to give us a happy, bountiful life here. I have a missionary friend in India who has been emailing me accounts of the Hindu persecution of the churches there. The latest was an event where a pastor answered a knock at his door. Three young men asked him to step aside to talk with the pastor. They had attended a revival service that week. They falsely professed faith in Christ and used that to lure this pastor out of his house and beat him nearly to death. He was hospitalized and is in a coma. The police came and interviewed the men. They boasted that they were not Christians and wanted to kill this pastor for trying to convert Hindus. No arrests were made. It will get worse. In Revelation, God will permit the beast, the anti-Christ, to begin his persecution: "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints..." (Rev. 13:7). I believe that the antichrist will appear before the Great Tribulation. The church will receive some persecution but before it gets worse, the church will be taken out. In Revelation 20 the judgment begins and among those with Christ, John sees "the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God" (Rev. 20:4).
Conclusion.
Here we conclude. You have the who, what, where, how, and when of being a Christian. So let me leave you with the following from Hebrews 12 :
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Look unto Jesus, my friends, look unto Him!
Col. 3:1-4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am told that a good news reporter or journalist should rely on five friends when writing. They are named: who, what, where, how, and when. When a good reporter can answer the questions asked by these friends, he will have an accurate article for the paper. The first four verses of chapter 3 help you and I identify what it means to be a Christian. The same five friends that can help a reporter can aid you in your faith and in your witness.
I. THE WHO OF THE CHRISTIAN:
"If ye then be risen with Christ..."
A Critical Who... "If ye then..." This is very critical. The "ye" here is plural. Paul is writing to the whole church. "If all of you..." is a way of saying this but it is a peculiar word here. This portion has been translated, "Since you were... (God's Word) and Therefore, since you* ... (Analytical-Literal Translation). When using the plural form of you, the King James Translators were cautious and used the word "if" because the possibility is that there were some who were not saved. Also, the Greek word does have a "conditional" clause as one of its definitions. The condition of who we are is found in who we are with...
A Crucial Identity... "...be risen with Christ..." A Christian is one who identifies with Christ. It is really basic. A Buddhist identifies with the founder of Buddhism. A Muslim identifies his faith by following Mohammed. I can spot a Redskin fan sometimes because he or she will wear a Redskin jacket. We don't wear a jacket per se but we put on Christ. Paul speaks of the Christian being risen with Christ as we identify with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection. One of the first acts of obedience and identity is what we call believer's baptism. This makesGalatians 2:20 come alive when I read it:
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
This open statement is a reminder. The "who", or identity, helps lead to the "what." If I identity a tool as a hammer, I then have an idea of what it does.
II. THE WHAT OF THE CHRISTIAN:
"...seek those things which are above..."
A Continuous Focus. The tense for the word "seek" is a continuous present tense. Salvation does not begin and end with one's new birth. Though I am justified by the work of the cross, I am in the present tense of salvation. It is called sanctification. It is like the difference between a house and a home. A house is a simple building. I can buy two or three houses. I will have the title. I might not do anything with the houses except inspect them and list them for sale. A home is different. A home is a house that is lived in. There is activity there. It has a sense of life. Why? The focus is different and it is a focus that is active. The direction is to "...those things which are above..." This is our daily responsibility. Think about being a security guard for a moment. The goal of the security guard is to keep the area safe. Today, we have small cameras that are attached to computers. A security guard can watch several points around a building or area from a central location. But the security is only as good as the attention of the guard. If the guard falls asleep, then someone can sneak by the cameras and enter the property. Satan is look for you and I to fall asleep, to get complacent, or even to ignore our duty. To keep you safe from temptation and ruining your witness, you need a continuous focus.
Of Divine Virtues. To focus above is to seek Christ's character for ourselves. The practice of having a time in prayer daily as well as reading the Bible helps keep us focused and in the process of applying divine or heavenly virtues. The best list for this is found in Galatians 5:23:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
Think of these virtues as our code of conduct. The military, certain professions such as practicing law and medicine, and even some social organizations like the boy and girl scouts have a code of conduct. Because a person identifies with an organization with a code of conduct, there is a need to follow through. Because I am a Christian I should behave according to God's code of conduct. Why? It is good for both me and those around me. People who are not Christian do know how we should behave and when we mess up, a non-Christian is very quick to judge you with good reason. So we should follow God"s Code of Conduct, see the divine virtues in such a way that they are...
Reproduced In Us. Let me refer you to Romans 12:2 which says:
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
The key is being transformed. By having a heavenly mindset, that is one focused on Christ, then one can experience the proper sanctification process by which the Holy Spirit works in and with you to be that God can carry out His purpose in you:
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10).
Let me remind you that we are not robots. We do have a responsibility to cooperate with the Spirit in this process. Paul further instructs us in Philippians 4:8:
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Knowing who we are in Christ and what we are to do we move to where we gain our resources from.
III. THE WHERE OF THE CHRISTIAN:
"...where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."
Not Of This World. Our identity is based on the truth that we are in Christ. Jesus said He was not of this world in John8:23 for good reason - He is God. He also said that this world will be judged in John 12:31. Jesus also prayed for His disciples before His arrest and said,
"I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world" (Jn. 17:14).
His kingdom is not of this world as Jesus told Pontius Pilate. As we are in Him, it makes sense that we too are not of this world but...
Seated With Christ. If our life is in Christ, then we are with Him. Paul writes in Ephesians,
"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:5-6).
We know we have a home awaiting us. We know that once we are born again, we are strangers here. We are aliens. We also represent Christ so we are His royal ambassadors on a mission of peace because we are not only seated with Christ but ....
Are In A Place of Honor. The right hand of a king was a special place of honor. That is the Son's right and Christ's earned privilege. As the Son, He has an inheritance. As the Crucified Savior, He earned that seat. As our Lord, He Rules. As our High Priest, He mediates and intercedes. As the Head of the Church, He represents us in that throne. And this is more than a place of honor but ...
A Source of Power. With the Father and the Son present in this verse, there is one Person missing - the Holy Spirit. Christ had to be crucified and be risen before the Holy Spirit could be released into the church. We believe that the Holy Spirit comes to empower us to live the Christian life. He comes with spiritual gifts that we are enabled to use in humility in service and life. This is why Paul writes in Philippians 4:13 ,
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
IV. THE WHY OF THE CHRISTIAN:
"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3).
Why are we to live for Christ? Why do we live differently from the world? Why?
Because We Are Dead! The word "dead" in Hebrew means cutting off or separation. In the old sacrificial system, the priest would cut the throat of the animal. This let blood flow out and thus life is separated from the body. Now what does Paul mean about this phrase, "Ye are dead?" The Bible says the wages of sin is death. Coming to Christ, we are saying that Christ made that payment. Thus if Christ died on the cross, then God sees every believer dying on that same cross.
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?...For he that is dead is freed from sin. (Romans 6:2-3, 7)
Salvation breaks the power of sin. Salvation releases the power of Christ. Salvation changes our identity.
And We Are Alive! From God's perspective, the world is dead. God is the source of life. Salvation brings life as Paul writes in Romans 6:11 ,
"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
This is what we truly treasure. Treasure is something that is kept secured and out of sight. This may be why Paul used the words "hid with Christ in God." It also could be the lack of spiritual discernment by the world. The world does not understand salvation. It rejects God. Many unbelievers resist the Gospel. For them, this treasure is hidden from view. Even Jesus spoke of our where our heart is there will be our treasure. Why we serve is a heart matter. We serve because of the belief that not only has Christ saved us from our sins and God's righteous judgment upon us. We not only serve He rules our lives and we identify as his children. We serve one who will come back one day. Thus we look at ...
IV. THE WHEN OF THE CHRISTIAN:
"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory" (Col. 3:4).
When Salvation Is Complete. There is a future tense for salvation. That will be the moment when we are away from the presence and power of sin. Paul encouraged Timothy with:
"Therefore I endure all things for the elect"s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory" (2 Timothy 2:10).
When you read the book of Revelation, you discover that the church will be with Him when He comes again. He will be reigning in glory and so we will as Paul writes in Romans:
"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together" (Romans 8:17).
Which Keeps Us Future Focused:
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Jesus Christ is coming again. His death, burial, and resurrection gives you and me a future hope. We know we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ. The world can throw its worst at us, and it will, but Christ will prevail. Jesus foretold what His enemies would do. When some demanded that He prove Himself the Messiah through miracles they would accept, Jesus called His critics, a wicked generation and further:
"Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city" (Matt. 23:34).
Remember, all but one apostle was murdered by the enemies of Christ. Jesus did not keep this a secret but before His death He said,
"Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also" (Jn. 15:20).
It was considered a great honor to be a martyr during the first three centuries of the church's history.
Our salvation is not meant to give us a happy, bountiful life here. I have a missionary friend in India who has been emailing me accounts of the Hindu persecution of the churches there. The latest was an event where a pastor answered a knock at his door. Three young men asked him to step aside to talk with the pastor. They had attended a revival service that week. They falsely professed faith in Christ and used that to lure this pastor out of his house and beat him nearly to death. He was hospitalized and is in a coma. The police came and interviewed the men. They boasted that they were not Christians and wanted to kill this pastor for trying to convert Hindus. No arrests were made. It will get worse. In Revelation, God will permit the beast, the anti-Christ, to begin his persecution: "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints..." (Rev. 13:7). I believe that the antichrist will appear before the Great Tribulation. The church will receive some persecution but before it gets worse, the church will be taken out. In Revelation 20 the judgment begins and among those with Christ, John sees "the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God" (Rev. 20:4).
Conclusion.
Here we conclude. You have the who, what, where, how, and when of being a Christian. So let me leave you with the following from Hebrews 12 :
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Look unto Jesus, my friends, look unto Him!
