Living Right Side Up

 

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4 ESV).

 

I have heard it said that believers need to learn how to live right side up in an upside down world. Others have simply made the comment that too many Christians are living on the wrong side of Easter. This writer said, “Christians are living as if Christ was not raised from the dead.” It as if they through life without joy or peace, without showing the fruit of the Spirit Paul talks about in his letter to the Galatians (cf. Galatians 5:22-23).

 

In our reading today we find that it does not have to be that way, because as Christians we have been raised with Christ. Says Paul, "Since you have been raised with Christ . . ."—not "if" or "when." The resurrection of the Lord Jesus is not just something that happened in the past; it affects every follower of Jesus also today. As one of the confessions puts it, by Jesus' power we "are already raised to a new life."

 

Because of Christ's resurrection power in our lives, we can learn to set our hearts "on things above." We can learn to loosen our grip on "earthly things." The Lord Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy… But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:19-20). Just this one exercise can release us from an enormous amount of stress and anxiety. All of the difficulties we experience from work is often rooted in our need for more. Whether it is more “stuff,” or more prestige or power, all of those things are very temporary.

 

Because of Christ’s resurrection power in our lives, we can also learn how to deal with the fear of aging, physical illness, and death. So often we think the worst thing that could happen to us is death. For the believer, that is the ultimate victory. They is the door to eternal freedom and life. Our world has turned the truth upside down in many ways; however, this may the most destructive of those deceptions. Death holds no power over the child of God. Jesus proved that in the resurrection. We can look back at the empty tomb and know the power of that truth.

 

You and I have to learn to live on the right side of Easter by claiming the power of the risen Savior every day. Ask yourself, "Which side of Easter am I on?" Are you right side up, or upside down?