What does it mean to be 'dead' and yet to live...

One of the more challenging verses in the Bible is this one from Colossians chapter 3, verse 3, "For you died, and your life has been hidden with Christ in God."

Paul writes this sentence very emphatically. Those of us who trust in Christ Jesus for salvation, are considered 'dead' in some way, and then, alive in a new way, more specifically, "hidden" with Christ in God.

As I seek to understand this Scripture against the backdrop of other Scriptures, I come to realize that to be 'dead' means having my old nature - perhaps the 'shadow' which Jung talked about, and perhaps, the 'id' Freud referred to - dealt a death blow by being identified with Christ through His death on the cross at Calvary. The Scripture in putting across this verse very emphatically strongly suggests that this is a done deal. Quite similar to what the Apostle also refers to in Romans 6:11, when he says to "Count ourselves also to be truly dead to sin..."

And so as believers of the Lord Jesus, we are to live our lives counting it as a done deal that our fallen, old and sinful nature is dead. Perhaps against that backdrop, we understand Colossians 3:1 better.

However, we must not stop with this part of the verse, as the second part is better!

"...our life has been hidden with Christ in GOD!"

Just taking a few moments to breathe in this Scripture reflectively can blow our minds away!

Imagine - our life has been hidden with Christ in GOD. Not just hidden with Christ, but "IN GOD!"

Seems like a truly experiential moment with the truth of this revelation meaning our refuge, our rest, our security, our safety, our worth, is hidden with Christ, in GOD. With Christ means totally justified, and spotless before God, because of Christ.

This simply means I can live life victoriously. I do not have to be bogged down with the 'cares and riches' of the world. I do not have to lose sleep over problems. By virtue of my life being hidden with Christ in God means God is always in charge, and I only need to work and live my life from this position of trust, and rest.