A Convicted Mind
Today, we discover the importance of Christian conviction. We all know the world is a polarizing place. To face the world we must have a supreme confidence. For we can only stand in tall in body as we are deeply convinced in mind. We discover this conviction in Colossians 1:1.
A Battle For the Mind
The Christian life begins with your mind. Christianity is a thinking religion. God wants our intellect, our thoughts, our comprehension, our focus all turned at Him. During Jesus earthly ministry, one of the scribes asked him what is the greatest commandment. Jesus responds, saying, "you shall love the lord your god with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (Matt [22:37])." God wants your mind. He wants you thinking on the things of God. The battle starts with your thoughts. In Romans 12:2, Paul writes,
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
Christianity starts in the space between your ears. What you think about! This is a constant battle for every Christian. For we are pulled in every different direction. So, you must fight. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul talks about this fights, writing,
"We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of god and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."
The Christian life is not about what you feel—that's hyper-spiritualism. The Christian life is not about what you do—that's legalism. Both of these false teaching were present at Colossae (Col [2:16]–23). Instead, the Christian life is about what you think. This all begins with a convicted mind.
A Convicted Mind
In Colossians 3:1, Paul relates the convicted mind. He writes, "therefore if you have been raised up with christ." This is the conviction of your mind—the non-negotiable for every true believer. This conviction goes beyond a mere confession (Rom 10:9). Instead, we are peering into the very core of one's commitment to God.
We see the core of this conviction in the word "raised up with Him." This word is in the past tense, so it's looking to an event that has already occurred. Also, the word is in the passive. This means the work has been accomplished not by us, but for us. We have nothing to do with the resurrection of Christ. He died, He raised Himself, and by faith we are now participants.
This is the first reality that must be established in your mind, before you can start to live the Christian life. This is a supreme conviction—Christ has finished His work on your behalf. You cannot add to His resurrection.
A Mysterious Union
One definition of this joint resurrection is "participating in the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the mysterious union with Him by faith." This means every believer is united with Christ through the resurrection. We are joined to Him by faith (Col 2:12). This concept is so important. No matter what happens you are one with Christ. Now, you are a new person with a new position.
New Person; New Position
Our union with Christ changes everything. In Christ, you are a new person. In 1 Corinthians [5:17], Paul writes,
"Therefore if, anyone is in Christ he is a new creature the old things passed away, behold new things have come."
Through the finished work of Christ, we are transformed into a new creature. But, we also have a new position. In Ephesians 2:6, Paul records this reality, writing,
"...even when we were dead He raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places."
This is past tense. The result of our union with Christ. We are a new person in a new position. John Calvin writes, "As long as Christ remains outside of us and we are separated from Him all that he has suffered and done for the salvation of the human race remains useless and is of no value." If a believer fails to understand their union with Christ, then they will always lack conviction. But, if this truth dominates one's mind then they will have a supreme confidence in any situation. For you know nothing can separate you from your relationship with God (Rom [8:38]). This must be the conviction of our minds. We have been raised by Christ and are joined with Him forever.
Courage in Christ,
