1. The Identity and Grace of Those Who Have Been Raised with Christ
When we examine the statement in Colossians 3:1, “Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ,” we realize that this single verse encapsulates both the identity of faith and the depth of grace. In his letter to the Colossian church, the Apostle Paul points out the church’s shaken state due to legalistic claims and the influence of Greek philosophy, especially from chapter 2 onward. Yet in chapter 3, he begins in earnest with the exhortation, “Seek the things that are above,” emphasizing the “new life” of those who are saved in Christ. The phrase that Paul uses to initiate this new life—“Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ”—is not merely a slogan or motto, but an event that transforms the believer’s entire existence.
Paul reminds his readers of the theme “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20) and simultaneously proclaims the essence of salvation: “made alive with Christ.” He declares that humanity, once doomed to die because of sin, has obtained eternal life through the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ, becoming an entirely different being. For the believer, the old identity no longer applies. Only in Christ are we reborn, already possessing abundance, and living as those who have received grace. When Paul says, “They have all died,” it is no mere formal declaration but points to an actual transformation—the power of the cross event completely overturning our very nature.
What, specifically, does the statement “if you have been raised with Christ” mean? It reveals the paradoxical truth that one may appear poor yet, in fact, be already rich. From a worldly perspective, wealth is measured by economic affluence, social standing, and fame. However, wealth in Christ is the highest value enjoyed by those set free from sin and promised eternal life. Therefore, one can have the leisure to humble oneself and become poor—without chasing worldly wealth or status—because one is already based on a spiritual richness in Christ. Hence, we must understand that the call to “become poor” does not suggest asceticism or self-mortification; rather, it signifies that we, who are already spiritually abundant, no longer need to submit to material things or worldly honors.
This “spiritual abundance” springs from grace. It is given not through any human merit or capability, but solely through the power of the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Consequently, we can fully enjoy this abundance. Even so, worldly ways of thinking may still reside within us—the desire to cling tightly once we secure a position, an excessive pursuit of worldly success, or a tendency toward legalistic thinking that focuses on our own works. Paul calls these attitudes “the things on earth.” If we have been raised with Christ, we must cast off such old ways of thinking.
Among modern pastors who strive to preach and teach these essential truths of the gospel and Christ-centered faith, Pastor David Jang frequently underscores that “if we have indeed gained eternal life through Jesus Christ, and if the hope of the resurrection has become a reality, then our attitude and outlook on life must change fundamentally.” Rather than being swayed by worldly values, he teaches that we should seek the things above and live in a manner befitting those who belong to heaven. This is not a lifestyle reserved for only a select few; it is the identity that all Christians should enjoy. “Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above” (Colossians 3:1) marks the starting point of this emphasis.
Notably, this teaching does not imply withdrawing to a monastery or outright rejecting secular culture in order to keep earthly things at bay, but instead encourages believers to enjoy an even fuller life through the freedom and leisure of those who already possess “the things above.” When one’s life is grounded in spiritual abundance, material possessions or worldly honor do not become absolute measures. People often envy the outward abundance of wealth, yet, in fact, believers in Christ who already possess everything can use this freedom to serve the world. They can reach out to the weak, gladly give themselves up, and voluntarily become poor—because they are ultimately heirs of everything. We become “poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything” (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:10), able to actually live out this paradox in our daily existence.
The paradoxical statement, “We can become poor because we have already received everything,” is closely tied to the life of Jesus Christ. Although He was originally equal with God and possessed the glory of heaven, He emptied Himself by taking the form of a servant and endured death on a cross. This self-emptying and sacrifice of Christ also serves as His invitation for believers to follow. Yet those who respond to this invitation do not live a life of only suffering; rather, they participate in His glory and walk the path of devotion with a sure hope and joy.
When Paul says, “If, then, you have been raised with Christ,” he does not intend this to remain a mere doctrinal statement. Because our everyday life has already changed, and we have undergone an ontological shift, we must act and live accordingly. Believers must constantly be aware of their identity as “new people who have died with Christ and have been raised with Him.” This consciousness enables them to decisively cast aside “earthly things,” such as sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and greed. In confessional terms, “I died with Christ, and now Christ lives in me”—this experience of grace becomes our driving force.
Pastor David Jang, through various sermons and lectures, also emphasizes how astonishing the new life and grace in Christ truly are, and how they practically apply to daily life. The declaration that we have already “been raised with Christ” means that we no longer have to live enslaved to the power of sin and death; it also grants us the assurance that any work or ministry we undertake can be carried out joyfully in the hope of God’s kingdom.
Moreover, this new lifestyle grounded in grace does not pertain only to one’s inward transformation. As we live in grace and truth within the church community and across society, we bear fruit that pleases God. When we grasp the “identity and grace of those who have been raised with Christ,” our perspective naturally shifts toward “the things above.” In this context, Paul’s subsequent exhortation, “Seek the things that are above,” follows quite logically.
In summary, “If, then, you have been raised with Christ” declares that, as those who died and have been raised, we have received a new being and a new identity. The grace found in Christ is different from legalistic works or worldly wealth; it shatters the power of sin in us and invites us into eternal life. By laying hold of this truth, we can freely relinquish worldly desires and ultimately enjoy the spiritual abundance that only God provides.
2. Seek the Things That Are Above – Worldly Challenges and Spiritual Mode Switching
When Paul exhorts the Colossian church to “seek the things that are above” (Colossians 3:1), he is not suggesting that believers should merely gaze up at heaven in some unrealistic manner. Rather, he teaches that, although we live in the midst of this world, our core identity is already grounded in Christ, so our way of thinking and value system must change accordingly. We might call this a kind of “mode switch.” In our faith life, we should not maintain our old, worldly mindsets (“the old mode”), but instead shift into a “new mode” of thinking from a heavenly perspective.
What exactly is this “new mode” that Paul mentions? From Colossians 2:8 onward, we see that Greek philosophy and Gnostic ideas had entered the church, unsettling the believers. Furthermore, legalistic demands—particularly those related to festivals, new moons, Sabbaths, and dietary regulations—mentioned in Colossians 2:16–23 posed another threat. Paul worries that the Colossian church is being shaken by two different challenges: the secular, rationalistic challenge grounded in Greek philosophy, and a form of legalistic, ritual-based faith. Although these two influences seem to be opposites, they share a common danger in that both obscure the essence of the gospel.
Those under the influence of Gnosticism, rooted in Greek philosophy, belittled the concrete events of Christ’s cross and resurrection as mere “inferior, fleshly affairs,” while claiming to pursue only what is “spiritual.” At times, they emphasized special revelations or the worship of angels, bringing confusion into the church. They asserted that salvation could be attained solely by acquiring a secret knowledge—“gnosis”—available only to a select few. This is why Paul warns, “Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels” (Colossians 2:18). In other words, those who taught that Christ alone was insufficient had fallen into the error of not holding fast to Christ, the Head of the church, letting themselves be led astray by a false sense of spiritual superiority and mysticism.
On the other hand, the second challenge—legalism—locates the basis of salvation not in the grace of Christ but in the observance of certain rituals and rules. Paul confronted this teaching in Galatians as well, referring to these teachers as the “circumcision party,” stating that righteousness is attained not through outward, human circumcision but through faith in the gospel. Likewise, in Colossians, he warns the church not to accept those who argue that one can only be justified by observing festivals, new moons, and Sabbaths. He describes these practices as “a shadow of the things to come,” insisting that the substance belongs to Christ (Colossians 2:17).
Ultimately, these two challenges—“secular rationalism” on the one hand and “legalistic ritualism” on the other—were unsettling the church. Against this backdrop, Paul strongly urges believers to “seek the things that are above.” This is because true faith is not enslaved by philosophy, knowledge, or religious customs; it is grounded solely in the gospel of Jesus Christ, the power of the cross and resurrection. To seek what is above means to fix our eyes on “Christ seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1). Jesus, seated at God’s right hand, has already conquered sin and death through His resurrection and ascension, achieving a perfect victory. Therefore, no matter how difficult or painful life on earth may be, believers must never forget that they are inseparably connected to the victorious Lord.
Pastor David Jang reiterates Paul’s teaching in a way that churches and believers today can apply in real life, stressing over and over that we must “switch to a spiritual mode.” Even if we attend church and study the Bible, if our mindset remains trapped in worldly values and habits, we will inevitably give priority to “the things on earth” rather than “the things that are above.” However, Scripture clearly commands: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2). The word “set your minds on” here implies more than just mental cognition; it concerns where our focus and attachment lie. In other words, if our everyday concerns revolve only around worldly success, possessions, and fame, then we remain stuck in the “earthly mode.”
Certainly, Paul is not advocating that we all flee worldly affairs. In his letters, Paul never suggests ignoring one’s daily responsibilities. Paul himself was a tentmaker, earning a living while staying firmly engaged in the world. Yet his top priority was always to proclaim the gospel and honor God wherever he went. So, “do not set your minds on earthly things” does not mean to be irresponsible toward the world, but rather to remember that our ultimate hope lies in “the things that are above,” not in the transient values of this world.
Concretely, the exhortation “seek the things that are above” calls for us to structure our entire lives according to the values of God’s kingdom. The values of the kingdom, as proclaimed by Jesus, can be summarized by the forgiveness of sins, love, service, humility, joy, peace, sharing, and sacrifice. Paul repeats these themes in Colossians and throughout his other letters. If we have been united with Christ, our value system must become more and more like Jesus’s. After all, the Christian life is not a once-a-year celebration on Easter or a seasonal observance at Christmas, but a daily journey of “living together with Christ.”
In Colossians 3:3, Paul explains why we should make this “mode switch”: “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” The old self has already died, and the true life of the believer is no longer rooted in this world but “hidden with Christ in God.” The phrase “hidden with Christ” signifies preservation, safety, and ultimate revelation. Even if, for now, we do not possess visible worldly wealth, the genuine life of the believer is safe in God’s arms and will be fully revealed at the end of the age or the return of Christ. Thus, the command “seek the things that are above” should not be interpreted as a denial of earthly existence, but rather as an invitation to look daily to the heavenly inheritance that is already ours.
Paul’s teaching remains a serious challenge for us today. Modern society idolizes visible achievements, possessions, and social status. We see it everywhere—people endlessly promoting themselves on social media, chasing material success as the one true measure. Sadly, the church is not immune to these influences. Sometimes, worldly values seep into the church and merge with legalistic standards, diluting the essence of the gospel. The phrase “Believe in Jesus and you will be blessed” can devolve into a misunderstanding that Christianity is merely a faster route to worldly success. But Paul emphasizes that neither legalism nor secular philosophy is of any profit if they draw us away from a Christ-centered gospel.
Hence, the idea “Seek the things that are above—Worldly Challenges and Spiritual Mode Switching” vividly illustrates what believers must examine within themselves. We may speak of “the things above” on Sundays or in Bible studies, yet still get ensnared by “the things on earth” in everyday life. To overcome such contradiction, Paul proclaims, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above.” This is not merely well-meant advice but a command and an invitation that every Christian is called to obey. We are told to switch our hearts and minds to the “spiritual mode,” powered by the gospel that transcends both worldly desire and legalistic burdens.
This transformation also becomes concrete through the church. The church community is a setting where believers can learn and share the gospel’s values and put them into practice. Through worship, preaching, fellowship, and service, pastors like David Jang help believers integrate “the things above” into their daily lives. Ultimately, however, each person must willingly submit to this “spiritual mode switch” with the help of the Holy Spirit. “If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above.” Clinging to this command, we must reorder our priorities and perspectives according to a heavenly viewpoint.
In this way, Paul’s exhortation in response to the challenges of secular thinking and legalism—“Seek the things that are above”—carries a profound message. Though we live on earth, we fix our hearts on heaven. This paradox is precisely the reality enjoyed by those who “have been raised with Christ.”
3. The Life That Died and Was Raised – The Hope of Glory and Practical Living
From Colossians 3:3–4, Paul declares that the believer’s being is “hidden with Christ in God,” and that “when Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Here, he speaks of the believer’s ultimate hope—God’s future glory and the completion of resurrection. Paul also provides a detailed explanation of resurrection doctrine in 1 Corinthians 15, and the same theme is echoed in Colossians as he emphasizes the certainty that we have “died and been raised.” This conviction is the driving force that sustains the daily life of the believer.
When we say believers “have died,” it does not mean they have merely improved certain aspects of their old lifestyle. It indicates a complete break. In the Old Testament, sacrifices had to be slain before being offered to God. Likewise, our old self was thoroughly put to death with Christ on the cross. Hence, we are no longer under the dominion of sin but have become new creatures belonging entirely to God. Though our lives are still carried out in this world, their very essence is already “hidden with Christ in God.”
At Christian funerals, we often hear the hymn whose refrain is “His death is my resurrection.” This hymn, treasured by many believers, reminds us of the resurrection faith each time it is sung at a funeral. The world generally views funerals as entirely laden with sadness and final farewells. However, in a Christian funeral, we sing of resurrection hope, so it is never wholly engulfed by despair. This is the privilege given to those who possess eternal life. Jesus Himself declared, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (John 11:25–26). The believer, though passing through physical death, remains in the realm of eternal life.
In many of his sermons, Pastor David Jang highlights the practical significance of this resurrection faith. A Christian’s lack of fear of death is not just wishful thinking or naive optimism; it is grounded in the assurance that “Christ’s resurrection guarantees our resurrection.” Moreover, this resurrection faith does not just speak to a distant future; it powerfully shapes how we live in the present. Those who know that earthly life is not the end can choose God’s will more boldly and freely. Even if they suffer losses by worldly standards, they can persevere, looking ahead to their ultimate reward and glory.
So how, then, should those who possess “the life that died and was raised” live practically? From Colossians 3:5 onward, Paul delivers ethical exhortations: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (3:5). Having chosen “the things above,” we must discard “the things on earth.” The life that died and was raised no longer functions as it did before. While the old life may have been driven by lust, passion, and greed, the new life relies on heavenly values and eternal life as its reference point.
Paul’s statement that covetousness is idolatry means that excessive pursuit of worldly possessions can lead to placing material things above God, which is a serious sin. In modern society, idolatry rarely involves bowing to physical idols. Far more often it is the deification of personal desires and interests, or the exaltation of worldly fame and power above God. Paul insists that those who have been raised with Christ must decisively cast off these worldly forms of idolatry.
To achieve this, we need ongoing “spiritual vigilance.” Regardless of how well we know the gospel or how faithfully we attend church, the world’s temptations constantly bombard us. Sometimes it appears as legalism, sometimes as worldly philosophy or cultural trends, all trying to draw us away from the core of the gospel. In such moments, remembering, “I have died with Christ, and I have been raised with Him” is what safeguards us. This awareness allows us to resist old patterns of living and walk in a manner worthy of the new life.
Further, in Colossians 3:4, Paul proclaims, “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory,” leading us to fix our eyes on the “ultimate fulfillment” beyond our present trials and imperfections. Life’s hardships can wear us down, but the life we have in Christ promises participation in His future glory. The hope of the resurrection does not belittle or trivialize our present afflictions; instead, it allows us to interpret and overcome them within God’s gracious plan.
Throughout church history, countless believers have walked the path of suffering armed with this resurrection faith and the certainty of eternal life. Many were martyred or endured severe poverty and persecution, yet they remained steadfast, because they recognized that as those who “seek the things above” and have “died and risen with Christ,” they could not abandon their faith. The power to live this way does not come from within human strength. Only by the grace of Jesus Christ and the help of the Holy Spirit can believers miraculously maintain joy and courage amid life’s fiercest storms.
With this “life that died and was raised,” Christians ultimately look forward to appearing “with Him in glory” at the second coming of Christ, while faithfully living out this present life. Thus, believers embrace humility, service, and love toward their neighbors, while devoting themselves to proclaiming the gospel and fulfilling the mission of evangelism. Pastor David Jang often emphasizes the need for practical actions that extend God’s kingdom and reveal the gospel through our lives here on earth. Our time in this world is marked by worshiping God, sharing love, and preaching the truth—an active participation in God’s reign and grace.
Moreover, Paul’s statement that Christ sits at the right hand of God signifies that Jesus holds ultimate authority and might. Those who are united with this Christ will share in His final victory—this is the believer’s supreme hope. Therefore, no toil or suffering here is in vain; God will reward all things in His perfect time. This faith animates us and keeps us moving forward.
In summary, “The Life That Died and Was Raised – The Hope of Glory and Practical Living” establishes that the believer’s future will culminate in glory and, on that basis, instructs us on how to live out that hope in the present. We have died with Christ and have been raised with Him. We are therefore no longer enslaved by worldly desires or tied to our old sinful nature. Instead, we put away covetousness, idolatry, immorality, and evil passions, choosing instead to “put on” the attributes of Christ—love, compassion, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Such ethical practice, characterizing those who share in the resurrection, is also our tangible foretaste of the glory that is to come.
Nor do we walk this path through our own asceticism or self-discipline. Rather, because we have already received wealth and freedom through Christ’s death and resurrection, we obey and follow God out of that abundant grace. If someone truly believes that they have been granted eternal life, salvation, the Way, and the Truth, and that the Lord fully satisfies them, how could they be so consumed by the empty offerings of the world? This grace grants us spiritual freedom that transcends worldly values.
Consequently, even at a funeral—the last moment of life here on earth—we can sing resurrection hymns. At a Christian funeral, which differs entirely from conventional customs, worship and praise ascend to God. This service reflects the reality of the eternal life we already taste. When Jesus’ proclamation—“Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die”—resounds during that gathering, a funeral is transformed from a place of mere mourning into a place of rest and the expectation of glory.
Likewise, we continually witness the power of this “life that died and was raised” in the church community and ministry settings. We help the weak, encourage those who are discouraged, and proclaim the gospel in the world, all with a living hope of resurrection. Many pastors, including David Jang, are committed to enabling the church to fully embody this resurrection faith. This effort goes beyond theoretical knowledge; it is the transmission of the gospel’s power that is tangibly experienced in both life and death.
Therefore, whether we experience wealth or poverty, laughter or tears, successes or failures, we stand on the unshakable identity of those who “have died and been raised with Christ.” Although the world is filled with shifting circumstances and challenges, our resurrection faith acts as the anchor for our souls, and the church community remains solid on this foundation. And as we wait for the day when the Lord appears in glory, we believe the promise that we, too, will appear with Him in glory.
This is Paul’s core message. Dying and rising again with Christ defines the identity of the believer. We are no longer slaves to sin or the law, nor are we bound to hollow philosophies or idols. Through the grace and resurrection power of Jesus Christ, we have been set free and continue to “seek the things above.” Along this journey, we practice holy values and ethics not derived from this world, and we eagerly await the glory that is surely to come. This is the power of resurrection faith and the mighty proclamation found in Colossians 3. Pastors like David Jang continually preach and teach this dynamic of the gospel so that church communities may truly live out the “life that died and was raised.”
By way of conclusion, the first section examined “The Identity and Grace of Those Who Have Been Raised with Christ.” The second looked at how to manifest that identity by “seeking the things above,” addressing the need to switch to a spiritual mode that transcends worldly challenges and legalism. The third and final section explored how we actually live out the “life that died and was raised,” embracing both the present and the future glory that awaits believers. These themes all connect in a single flow, highlighting Colossians 3’s central message: Those who are in Christ have put off the old self and put on the new self, leading to eternal life and the hope of the resurrection. In this faith, we bear witness to God’s kingdom here on earth and carry out our calling to become more like Jesus. Across all three sections, one common thread emerges: the power of the gospel, by which the identity and hope of believers are renewed in Christ.