LITMIR.BIZ

      Chapter 23.

      Indeed, the Apostle teaches in Colossians that we who were once dead, alienated, and hostile to the Lord in spirit through our wicked deeds (Col 1:21), having been buried with Christ in baptism, were also raised with Him through faith in the power of God by which He was raised from the dead. «And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses» (Col 2:12—13). And again: «Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances?» (Col 2:20) If then he describes us as spiritually dead while admitting that we also will one day die physically, then, by considering us spiritually risen, he does not deny that we will also be raised in our bodies. For example, he says: «If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God». Seek those things which are above, not below (Col 3:1—2). By this he points out that we will be raised in spirit because only through the spirit we can partake of the things that are above. We would not have to seek it or think about it if we had already possessed it. Also, he adds: «For you have certainly died for your sins, not for yourself, – and your life is now hidden with Christ in God» (Col 3:3). So, the life which is hidden has not yet been comprehended. John also says: «And it doth not yet appear what we shall be. But we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him» (1 Jn 3:2). We can’t possibly be what we do not yet know, because if we had already become it, we would for sure have known. Therefore, at this time we only contemplate the object of our hope in faith; it is not yet in front of us or with us but is only an expectation. Paul writes to Galatians about this hope and this expectation: «In spirit we expect by faith the hope of our righteousness» (Gal 5:5). He does not say: «We already possess it». The righteousness of God refers here to the final judgment after which we will receive our reward. Paul, waiting for this judgment himself, writes to the Philippians: If I somehow attain to the resurrection from the dead, this does not mean that I have already attained it or become perfect (Php 3:11—12). Surely, he who was the vessel of election and the teacher of pagans had strong enough faith and knew all the mysteries and yet he adds: «I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus» (Php 3:12). And even more: «Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto the inaccessible reward which I am to strive for» (Php 3:13—14). Clearly, he is talking about the resurrection of the dead, but it will come in due course, for he says to Galatians: «And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap» (Gal 6:9). And he says to Timothy about Onesiphorus: «The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day» (2 Tim 1:18). He urges him to observe the commandment purely and irreproachably until that day – until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, which will be revealed in due time by the blessed and only Ruler, King of kings (1 Tim 6:14—15), that is, by God. Peter also talks about these times in Acts: «Repent and see to it that your sins are blotted out so that the times of refreshing might come to you from the presence of God and so that He would send you the appointed Christ, whom heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets» (Act 3:19—21).