Sovereign Grace Church

If ye be risen with Christ, seek the things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.

(Colossians 3:1)

When Christ arose from the dead, He walked on the earth, it is true, but above it; though in it, He was not of it; not intending to remain in it, He accepted no home in it, and made no friendship with it: in this respect, too, the resurrection life is evidenced by His consistent members; they are in the world, but not of the world, they are above it: their home is not here, neither are their congenialities; they are linked to their Elder Brother [Christ], and He is not here; He is risen; they are risen with Him, and so walk in newness of life: we have reason to think, that, after His resurrection, Christ lived almost exclusively with His disciples: so should the power of the risen life lead to holy companionship; to select association with those who are of the same body; to an avoidance of this world’s tainting, corrupting, lowering, depressing, unspiritualising influences and society; Christians are not likely to gain much in the way of heavenly mindedness by mingling with worldlings, or mere chaffy [fake] professors: but they may lose a great deal; the fine gold dims beneath the world’s breath; the vessel of the sanctuary is tarnished by the world’s touch; the resurrection life is chilled and checked in its growth by the world’s bitter frost: what has a living member of a living Saviour to do with a dead world? Should he be found within its borders? Should we seek the living among the dead? Only realise your stately calling, as part of a risen Christ, wherever you go; recollect who you are, and whose you are, and it will tend much to regulate your choices, and to determine your goings. “If ye be risen with Christ, seek the things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God,” that all may take knowledge of you, as having been with JESUS; if you have really touched the garment of the risen Lord, then virtue has touched your soul; and all you do and say will manifest the savour of His name, and your whole life will be fragrant with Christ; “My hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh,” (Song of Solomon 5:5). Be not content to live low, when your master is so high; dwell in the secret place of the Most High; “Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.” (Song of Solomon 4:6) — Copied