Thankful to be Alive
With Christ
Colossians 2:13-14; 3:1-17
God’s Word reminds us of the hopeless situation we were in before we were saved. This should fill us with gratitude as well as impact how we live each day.
1. When we recall what we were…
It fills our hearts to overflow with thanksgiving for “who we are” (Col. 2:13a)
- We were spiritually dead in our sins, separated from God and, by nature, deserving of wrath (cf. Eph. 2:1-3)
- We were spiritually dead because of our inherited sinful nature (cf. Ps. 51:5; Rom. 3:23, 5:12)
- Sin affects all areas of our being, including who we are and what we do (cf. Isa. 64:6)
Does the full weight of understanding “what you were” impact how you express thanksgiving in every aspect of your life for who you are now?
2. When we recall who made us alive…
It fills our hearts to overflow with thanksgiving for “whose we are” (Col. 2:13b-14)
- We are not our own. We were bought at a price (cf. 1 Cor. 6:19b-20a; Acts 20:28)
- God made us alive with Christ. Our great salvation was all His initiative (cf. Ezk. 36:26-27; Jn. 6:44; Eph. 2:8-9)
- He forgave us of all our sins, cancelled the debt we owed, took it away, and nailed it to the cross
Does God’s amazing, saving grace amaze you everyday as you realize “I am alive with Christ?” Like David, do you need to pray, Lord, “restore unto me the JOY of YOUR salvation…” (cf. Ps. 51:12)?
3. When we recall what we have been saved from…
It fills our hearts to overflow with thanksgiving as “we now live for Christ” (Col. 3:1-17)
How, then, should we live?
- With a new orientation, setting our hearts and minds on things above (vs. 1-4) (cf. Heb. 12:1b-2a; Lk. 12:34)
- Daily put to death and rid ourselves of anything belonging to our earthly nature (vs. 5-11)
- Daily cloth ourselves with qualities that reflect the character of Christ (vs. 12-14)
- Daily allow the peace and Word of Christ to rule and dwell in our hearts, and BE THANKFUL (vs. 15-17)
“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving THANKS to God the Father through Him” (Col. 3:17).
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