Do you have a seriousness about following God?

Colossians 3:1 - Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,...

Have you been raised in Christ?  It's important to know that what comes through the rest of Colossians 3 is directed to those who have been raised in Christ.  So what does it mean to "have been raised in Christ"?

Do you believe that you are a sinner?  Do you believe that you have rebelled against God?  If not, then you haven't been raised in Christ.

1 John 1:8 - If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:10 - If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

Further, do you believe that Jesus is God in the flesh, sent as the wrath absorbing sacrifice for your sins?  Do you believe that Christ was crucified for your sin and raised again on the third day?

If you say no to any of these questions then you probably haven't been raised in Christ.  But if you have been raised in Christ, what are you to do?

Colossians 3:1 (continued) - set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Do you have a genuine affection for God?  I mean a true deep love for God?  Are you serious about following God?  Do you have a desire to submit and humbly walk with Him?

Colossians 3:2-4 - Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

What should we be doing if we have a seriousness about following God?

Colossians 3:5-10 - Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature; sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.  Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.  You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.  But now you must rid yourself of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Do you have a seriousness about following God?

God Bless!