Living the Christ-filled life!
The Preeminent Christ- 8
TITLE: Living the Christ-filled life!
TEXT: Colossians 3:1-4
THESIS: Embracing a Christ-filled life compels believers to shift their focus from earthly illusions to the ultimate reality found in Christ, fostering a mindset aligned with spiritual truths that glorify God and cultivate a deep, transformative relationship with Him.
TRUTH: In Plato's famous parable, a group of people have lived their entire lives chained inside a cave, facing a wall. Behind them is a fire, and between the fire and the prisoners, people carry objects that cast shadows on the wall. Because this is all they have ever seen, they believe the shadows are reality.
One prisoner is freed. He turns around, sees the fire, and realizes that the shadows are mere illusions, not the actual substance of existence. He is then taken outside the cave. At first, the sunlight hurts his eyes, but gradually he begins to see the real world and ultimately the sun.
When he returns to the cave, the others mock and reject him; some would even prefer to kill him rather than accept that their reality is false.
What does this parable mean?
- The cave symbolizes the world of illusion and ignorance.
- The shadows represent false beliefs.
- The fire highlights their limited understanding.
- The journey outside the cave represents the willingness to embrace truth.
- The sun symbolizes the ultimate reality.
According to Plato, the freed prisoner embodies the philosopher. (Plato, The Republic, Book VII.)
In Christian thought, however, Christ Himself represents the truth and the ultimate reality. Yet, many still choose the shadows of dead religion and pagan belief, rather than embrace the substance -who is Christ.
If you are a Christian, you have been brought out of the cave through Christ.
Paul now provides three encouragements for the Colossians to live a Christ-filled life.
The First Encouragement
I. Focus life’s aim upon Christ.
Explanation: Those who have been raised are to seek "αναζητώ" (anazito), present tense, the things above. We are to be spiritually minded, which means to orient all life’s goals in fellowship with the ascended Christ. When Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, he stated, “But our citizenship is in heaven….” Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth…. but store up treasures in heaven…. for where your treasure is there your heart will be.”
Certainly, this was true of Paul, who wrote, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith -that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” -Phil. 3:7-11
The aim and the focus of our lives is to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever” (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q. 1, 1647). To “glorify God” means to honor and praise Him through our actions, through our aim. It is about recognizing God’s greatness and reflecting that in our daily lives. To “enjoy Him forever” signifies the deep, abiding joy that comes from a relationship with God. It is not fleeting but shapes our identity and purpose. The phrase emphasizes two fundamental aspects of human existence: the duty to honor and worship God and the joy that comes from having a relationship with Him. This dual focus encourages believers to view their lives as being oriented towards glorifying God, while also experiencing the joy and fulfillment that come from faith and communion with God.
Think about a treasure map, where seeking Christ is like following the map that leads to the ultimate treasure -eternal life and a relationship with Him. Remember, the parable of the wise and foolish builders (Matt. 7:24-27). Evaluate your life. What are you storing up? What foundation are you building upon?
Thomas Watson: “The best way to prevent backsliding is to keep your heart on Christ. When the soul is in communion with Christ, it cannot fall.”
The Second Encouragement
II. Focus the mind upon Christ.
Explanation: Paul believes that the seeking of things above will only be sustained by a mind nourished upon things above. Two assertions carry the weight of this exhortation: You have died to the things of the earth. Paul is alluding to the earthly rules and practices that the Colossian heretics were obsessed with. The second assertion being: your life is hidden with Christ in God. This phrase points to the believer’s security in Christ.
We should recognize the critical difference between Gnostic beliefs and what Paul is saying. The Gnostics claimed that there was a secret knowledge or hidden mystery accessible only to a select few, implying that a deeper spiritual reality lay beyond the grasp of ordinary believers. In contrast, Paul emphasizes that the life we gain through the resurrection of Christ is already part of an eternal realm that is accessible to all believers. This life is not reserved for a select few; instead, it belongs to everyone who follows Christ and understands that they are part of a greater spiritual reality. Thus, Paul invites everyone into this transformative experience, rather than suggesting it’s a mystery reserved for the few.
This is a familiar exhortation in Paul’s writings. For example, he wrote in Romans, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (8:5-8). He also wrote to the church at Corinth, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways” (13:11).
Paul has a lot to say about this in his letter to the Philippians. For example, he wrote, “Have this mind in yourself, which is also yours in Christ Jesus…. (2:5). And then, “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things” (3:17-19). In 4:8, he wrote, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
When I was in seminary, I never reached my full potential as a student until I dedicated all my studies to the honor and glory of God. Focused thoughts lead to transformation. Engage in practices that lead your mind toward Christ.
John Owen: "He that studies to know and understand Christ will be able to grasp the entire doctrine of the gospel; and in doing so, he will be drawn to live according to that truth."
The Third Encouragement
III. Focus our hope upon Christ.
Explanation: This is supported by three assertions: Christ will appear, He will openly return, and He will be made known. Eschatological hope is here affirmed, though no hint of time or manner. Paul turns from the past to the future, from experience known to the end anticipated. The Colossian’s future is bright with His appearing, and so is ours.
The second assertion: And Christ is our life -not simply our eternal life, or the giver of life, but the essence of life. For Paul, ‘to live is Christ and to die is gain.” The third assertion: we will also appear with Him in glory. As surely as your life is hidden in Christ, so shall you be manifested with Him when He returns. Let us hear the words of Paul to the Thessalonians: “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. For this, we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep, for the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, encourage one another with these words” (4:14-18).
Like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, we are made new in Christ, shedding our former selves. Let me encourage you to share your identity in Christ with someone this week.
John Owen: "He who has Christ has hope; for to have Christ is to have life eternal and joy eternal."
TAKE-AWAY: The Christ-filled life, then, is life filled with Christ: its aim, its mind, its hope all taken up in Christ. Therefore, all things on earth shrivel and are dwarfed in significance.
Embrace the fullness of life that comes from following Christ, for in Him, you find everything you need. Do not return to the cave of shadows, where ignorance and illusion hold sway. Instead, walk in the light of His truth and love, allowing His presence to guide you and illuminate your path.
As you journey forward, remember that the world outside the cave is vibrant with hope and promise. Let your heart be filled with the joy of this divine light that breaks through darkness, empowering you to share it with others still bound in fear. Live a life rooted in faith, for in Christ, you are truly free, invited to experience a reality that is rich, fulfilling, and filled with purpose. Keep moving forward into His light and leave the shadows behind.
WORK CITED:
The Broadman Bible Commentary, (2Corinthians-Philemon Vol. 11 Broadman Press).
The IVP Bible Background Commentary (New Testament 2nd edition, IVP Academic).
Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Baker Academic, Grand Rapids).
© 2012 - 2025 Blake Gideon. All rights Reserved
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