Spiritual Life View

Significant Spiritual Living #5

What are the options for the struggles of life? Where would you turn if you lost your income, health and family? Is "time" really the healer of all wounds? A song of a few decades ago told us to "break out the booze and have a ball" "if that's all there is". Actor / comedian Penn Jillette's solution was to believe there is no God. But Job refused such foolishness and worshipped!

Barber notes that if we turn to the flesh for answers our only options are religion or rebellion. The Grace Way shows three choices when facing "weakness" - quit, legalism or brokenness.

The proper view / perspective for all of life is recognizing our identification with Christ and His finished work.

I. Risen With Christ Col. 3:1

The "if" is doubting our resurrection with Christ, if there's any doubt it has to do with our perspective.

This truth is built upon the context - 2:20 - dead in Christ; 2:10 - complete in Christ

A. Seek Above Things

1. Where we are seated with Christ! Eph. 2:6.

B. Think Above Things, v. 2 - Not just wishing, but dwelling on the truth of our position in / with Christ! Phil. 2:5 uses the same word.

II. Dead With Christ v. 3

. This is the prerequisite for being raised.

A. Life hid in Christ - Our only life is in Christ! (Rom. 6:11)

III. Glory With Christ is our Prospect, v. 4

IV. Slay (KJV - mortify) Earthly Members

- that's putting co-crucifixion power into practice.

A. Have Put Off the Old & Have Put On the New, v. 8-12 - That's co-crucifixion and co-resurrection. By the power of the cross the old ways are to be put off and new ways to be put on with a renewed mind. Eph. 4:22-32 shows examples of how this works.

When life is viewed from the heavenly perspective earthly things will be understood for what they are!

Grace to you!