Larry Reynolds, Denton, TX

Colossians 3:1-4 - "If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in Glory."

In this paragraph the Apostle Paul speaks of our relationship with Christ in the past, present, and future

•  Verse 1 says that in the past we “have been raised up with Christ” - This is not a reference to the resurrection from physical death which we will experience. Instead, it is referring to the new life we received when we trusted our lives to Jesus for salvation. Salvation is death to an old way of life--a life of guilt, hopelessness, despair, futility, lack of direction and meaning and purpose--and resurrection to life abundant and life eternal in Christ. If you are a true Christian, there was a time in your past when you died to yourself, to an old way of life, and you were raised to a new kind/quality of life in Christ. The old person has been put off and the new person has been put on.  
•  Verse 3 says that in the present we are “hidden with Christ in God” - The word translated “hidden” is apokruptein and it’s the word from which the Gnostics got the word for their secret books which they claimed held the key to real wisdom. In effect Paul is saying to the false teachers, “For you the treasures of wisdom are hidden in your secret books; but for us Christ is the treasury of wisdom and we are hid in Him.” [Barclay, p.178] The basic idea behind this phrase has to do with security or safety. Just as you might tuck a valuable possession away in a safe place, so our lives are tucked away in Christ. In the present, no matter what storms may come our way and no matter what troubles we may face, we are safe in Him.
•  Verse 4 says that in the future “When Christ is revealed ... [we] will be revealed with Him...” - The reference here is to the Second Coming of Jesus to our world. When He returns to the world everyone will recognize Him as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And, when He comes those who have chosen to commit their lives to Him will be vindicated.