In the first verse of Colossians 3 Paul writes that we have been raised with Christ. What does that mean? It means that the resurrection didn't just happen to Jesus, it happens to us. And its not just something that happens to us in the future. In fact, the context of what Paul is saying has to do with resurrection while we are living on earth. In Paul's words, it involves clothing ourselves with "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Above all, Paul says, "put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
To be raised with Christ is to be raised to new life in this lifetime. It means pursuing holiness. A word that sounds outdated but is still what Christ calls His followers to aim for. To be raised with Christ is to proclaim that your old selfish ways are dead so that a new you is resurrected that conforms to the image of Christ. Most people talk about the resurrection as something that happened historically, certainly I believe it did. I also believe that resurrection is a miracle that God continues to work in the lives of those willing to surrender they're ways to God's ways.
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