Living in the Fullness of Union with Christ
Summary
In our exploration of union with Christ, we delve into Colossians 3:1-17, a passage that offers a panoramic view of this profound theological truth. The backdrop of this letter is crucial; Paul addresses the Colossians amidst false teachings that suggest the need for additional spiritual practices to achieve fullness in life. However, Paul emphasizes that believers have already attained fullness in Christ. The challenge is not to add to Christ but to fully grasp the riches of God's grace available in Him.
Paul urges the Colossians to understand their new identity in Christ. This identity is not just a theological position but the deepest reality of their lives. Believers are united with Christ in His death, resurrection, ascension, and heavenly reign. This union means that when Christ appears, believers will appear with Him in glory. This truth transforms how we view ourselves and our destiny.
The new identity in Christ leads to a new mentality. Paul encourages believers to set their minds on things above, where Christ is, rather than earthly things. This shift in focus is essential because our natural inclination is to think in worldly terms. By setting our minds on Christ, our affections follow, and we begin to live out of the fullness we have in Him.
Moreover, this union with Christ gives us a new sense of destiny. Our true identity is hidden with Christ, and when He appears, we will be like Him. This transformation will reveal the work God has done in us, making the invisible grace visible. The world may not recognize who we truly are now, but in the new heavens and new earth, our true selves will be revealed.
In essence, understanding our union with Christ reshapes our identity, mentality, and destiny. It calls us to live in the reality of who we are in Christ, setting our minds on Him and anticipating the day when our hidden life will be fully revealed in glory.
Key Takeaways:
1. Fullness in Christ: Believers have already attained fullness in Christ. The challenge is not to add to Christ but to fully grasp the riches of God's grace available in Him. This understanding transforms our identity and how we live our Christian lives. [04:22]
2. New Identity: Our union with Christ gives us a new identity. We are united with Him in His death, resurrection, and ascension. This identity is not just a theological position but the deepest reality of our lives, shaping how we view ourselves and our destiny. [06:15]
3. New Mentality: With our new identity comes a new mentality. We are encouraged to set our minds on things above, where Christ is, rather than earthly things. This shift in focus is essential for living out of the fullness we have in Christ. [13:23]
4. New Destiny: Our union with Christ gives us a new sense of destiny. Our true identity is hidden with Christ, and when He appears, we will be like Him. This transformation will reveal the work God has done in us, making the invisible grace visible. [18:59]
5. Living in Reality: Understanding our union with Christ reshapes our identity, mentality, and destiny. It calls us to live in the reality of who we are in Christ, setting our minds on Him and anticipating the day when our hidden life will be fully revealed in glory. [23:00]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - Introduction to Union with Christ
- [00:34] - Background of Colossians
- [01:24] - Addressing False Teachings
- [02:30] - Fullness in Christ
- [04:22] - Grasping the Riches of Grace
- [06:00] - New Identity in Christ
- [07:34] - United with Christ in Glory
- [09:05] - Understanding Our True Identity
- [10:39] - Paul's Perspective on Identity
- [12:28] - Positional Truth vs. Reality
- [13:23] - Setting Our Minds on Christ
- [15:00] - Affections and Focus
- [17:11] - Knowledge of Christ
- [18:59] - New Sense of Destiny
- [20:39] - Hidden Lives Revealed
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Union with Christ
Bible Reading:
- Colossians 3:1-17
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Observation Questions:
1. What false teachings were the Colossians facing, and how did Paul address these in his letter? [01:24]
2. According to Colossians 3:1-4, what does Paul say about the believer's new identity in Christ? [06:00]
3. How does Paul describe the transformation that occurs when believers set their minds on things above? [13:23]
4. What does Paul mean when he says that our life is "hidden with Christ in God"? [06:44]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding the fullness we have in Christ change the way believers should respond to false teachings? [04:22]
2. In what ways does the new identity in Christ challenge the natural way we view ourselves and our lives? [08:32]
3. How might setting our minds on things above influence our daily decisions and priorities? [13:23]
4. What implications does the promise of appearing with Christ in glory have for how believers live today? [07:34]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the need to add something to your faith to feel complete. How can you remind yourself of the fullness you already have in Christ? [04:22]
2. Consider your current mindset. Are there specific earthly things that often distract you from focusing on Christ? How can you shift your focus to things above this week? [13:23]
3. Think about your identity in Christ. How does this identity influence the way you interact with others, especially those who may not share your faith? [06:15]
4. What are some practical ways you can live out your new identity in Christ in your workplace or community? [10:51]
5. How can the promise of appearing with Christ in glory motivate you to persevere through challenges in your faith journey? [07:34]
6. Identify one area of your life where you struggle to see God's grace at work. How can you seek to make the invisible grace visible in that area? [19:20]
7. What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper knowledge of Christ, which in turn enhances your enjoyment of union with Him? [17:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Grasping the Fullness in Christ
Believers have already attained fullness in Christ, and the challenge lies in fully grasping the riches of God's grace available in Him. This understanding transforms our identity and how we live our Christian lives. The Colossians were facing false teachings that suggested the need for additional spiritual practices to achieve fullness. However, Paul emphasizes that in Christ, they have everything they need. This fullness is not about adding more to our spiritual lives but about realizing and living out the abundance already given to us in Christ. By embracing this truth, we can experience a profound transformation in our daily walk with God. [04:22]
Colossians 2:9-10 (ESV): "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking fulfillment outside of Christ? How can you begin to embrace the fullness you already have in Him today?
Day 2: Embracing Our New Identity
Our union with Christ gives us a new identity. We are united with Him in His death, resurrection, and ascension. This identity is not just a theological position but the deepest reality of our lives, shaping how we view ourselves and our destiny. Understanding this new identity means recognizing that our old self has been crucified with Christ, and we now live as new creations. This transformation affects every aspect of our lives, from our thoughts and actions to our relationships and purpose. By embracing our new identity, we align ourselves with God's vision for our lives and walk in the freedom and power He provides. [06:15]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: How does your understanding of your identity in Christ influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? What steps can you take to live more fully in this new identity?
Day 3: Shifting Our Mentality
With our new identity comes a new mentality. We are encouraged to set our minds on things above, where Christ is, rather than earthly things. This shift in focus is essential for living out of the fullness we have in Christ. Our natural inclination is to think in worldly terms, but by setting our minds on Christ, our affections follow, and we begin to live in alignment with His purposes. This change in perspective allows us to see beyond the temporary and embrace the eternal, leading to a life of greater peace, joy, and purpose. [13:23]
Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."
Reflection: What earthly distractions are keeping you from setting your mind on things above? How can you intentionally refocus your thoughts on Christ today?
Day 4: Anticipating Our New Destiny
Our union with Christ gives us a new sense of destiny. Our true identity is hidden with Christ, and when He appears, we will be like Him. This transformation will reveal the work God has done in us, making the invisible grace visible. The world may not recognize who we truly are now, but in the new heavens and new earth, our true selves will be revealed. This hope of future glory motivates us to live faithfully in the present, knowing that our lives have eternal significance and purpose. [18:59]
1 John 3:2 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How does the promise of your future transformation in Christ impact your current struggles and challenges? What can you do today to live in light of your eternal destiny?
Day 5: Living in the Reality of Christ
Understanding our union with Christ reshapes our identity, mentality, and destiny. It calls us to live in the reality of who we are in Christ, setting our minds on Him and anticipating the day when our hidden life will be fully revealed in glory. This reality is not just a future hope but a present truth that influences every aspect of our lives. By living in this reality, we experience the fullness of life that Christ offers and become a testimony of His grace and power to the world around us. [23:00]
Ephesians 2:6-7 (ESV): "And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: In what ways can you more fully live out the reality of your union with Christ in your daily life? How can this understanding transform your interactions and influence in your community?
Quotes
because you have already come to fullness of life in jesus christ there is nothing to be added to him so what you need is not to add to jesus christ to fill up what is lacking in jesus christ what you need to know is the fullness that's already there for you in jesus christ [00:04:22]
it's knowing who you are in jesus christ and knowing who jesus christ is for you that's your fullness so live out of that fullness and you will find that those false teachers will not be able to get their murky paws upon you and mar your christian life [00:05:20]
you've been raised with christ so seek the things that are above where christ is seated at the right hand of god set your minds and things that are above not on things that are on earth for you have died and your life is hidden with christ in god [00:06:31]
when christ who is your life appears then you also will appear with him in glory so now he's saying you're so united to christ that you were united to him in his death united to him in his burial united to him in his resurrection united to him in his ascension [00:06:45]
our lord jesus christ considers himself incomplete without us isn't that something we're not worthy of that in fact we feel so unworthy of that there's something in us that refuses to believe it how could this possibly be true but because he has become the second man [00:07:49]
you're no longer supposed to think of yourself naturally now that you're a believer you've got to think about yourself biblically to believe what the gospel provides for you a good number of years ago now i read a very moving book by the philosopher and nicholas waltersdorf [00:08:43]
paul is saying here if anyone wants to know who i am they need to know i am somebody who died with christ was buried with christ was raised with christ ascended with christ my true life is hidden with christ in god and when christ appears he will not appear without me [00:10:39]
this is not just positional truth as though there were some other kind of truth this is the truth about you this is not just a position that you hold this is the deepest reality of your life if you're a christian this isn't make believe this isn't a fiction [00:12:34]
we've been raised into this new order this new humanity in jesus christ and so we've got to learn to think that way we don't naturally think that way because we bring into the christian life the old mindset often don't we the old instinct [00:13:36]
we seek the things that are above we fix our gaze upon our lord jesus christ in whom our lives are hidden and we fill our hearts with devotion to him in the church i served a number of years ago i always seem to be asked to be involved in any appointment [00:14:03]
our enjoyment of that union is is going to be in direct proportion to our knowledge of the lord jesus so that in chapter 1 verses 15 to 20 he's told us he's the image of the invisible god he's the creator of things visible and invisible he sustains all things [00:17:11]
my identity is now hidden from this world and actually to a certain extent is hidden from me and your identity is hidden from me but my destiny is that when he appears i will appear with him not only that but when i appear with him i will be like him [00:18:59]
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