7/9/12 Dead to Earth- Alive to Christ

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your life,appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

Diving Bell- Having to swim down to go up. 


Thoughts: These verses contain the classic Christian theme that you have to go down in order to go up- and if you go up- you don't want to go down again. In former days divers made use of a diving bell.  One would dive down and then come back up to get air inside the bell.  Going down allowed the diver to be safe and breathe.  In order to obtain eternal life, we must be willing to die- to humble ourselves; to deny ourselves.  In some ways criticism, persecution, worldly failure are not enemies to our souls, but enemies to our pride.  They are means that help bring us down to our selves in order to be brought up to God.  Too many are trying to hold onto the temporary floats of this world.  Christians are born into a different world, and we do not need to try to hold onto the old one  We are not to long for more and more of the world, but for more of Christ's presence- even His appearing.  Those who hold tightly to this world- and more and more of it- will find it hard to long for Christ to come.  But this world is not our home. 


Prayer: Help me, Lord to be willing to be humbled in order to rise up.