"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."
Colossians 3:1-2
Bishop Darlingston Johnson
A Message on Embracing Your Identity in Christ
Three Marks of Spiritual Growth
What God Celebrates in Us
Faith in Christ - Not faith in ourselves or circumstances, but confidence in who Jesus is
Love for One Another - Supernatural love that goes beyond preference and convenience
Everlasting Hope - An anchor that keeps us steadfast no matter what life brings
"When these three qualities are active and growing, we are experiencing true spiritual maturity"
The weather below didn't change - the altitude did
Our circumstances may not change, but our response can
When we live from our position in Christ, we respond from peace
Higher is better - smoother above the turbulence
Stop Eating Worms
"You're not a chicken - you're an eagle!"
An eagle raised among chickens ate worms from the dust
When it discovered its wings, everything changed
You were not designed for earthly living but heavenly living
Called to live above the flesh, above sin, above this world system
Christ Our Source
Complete in Him
Everything We Need in Christ
"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him"
Colossians 2:9-10
Everything God is, Jesus is
Everything God has, Jesus has
Everything God can do, Jesus can do
Since we are joined to Christ, we lack nothing
Stay Connected to Your Source
"...holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God"
Colossians 2:19
"A light bulb disconnected from its power source is still a light bulb, but it's no longer shining"
Three Practical Steps
How to Live the Higher Life
Living It Out Daily
1. Seek Things Above
That's where we spiritually live
That's where the best things are
Our spiritual address is "in Christ"
2. Set Your Mind Above
Meditate on God's Word
"Change the channel" of thoughts
Use your mouth as a remote control
3. Mortify the Deeds of the Flesh
Discard the old furniture left by the previous occupant. The old man is dead - now remove what he left behind and bring in new things from Christ.
Using Your Spiritual Remote
"Click - change the channel!"
When negative thoughts come, don't receive them
Speak the truth: "I am in Christ"
"My life is complete in Him"
"Everything He is, I am. Everything He has, I have"
"I'm living from above"
Prayer Focus
Embracing Our Identity
"Father, help me to fully embrace my true identity as a new creation in Christ. I am an eagle, not a chicken. Let me stop eating worms of earthly thinking and spread my wings to soar in the reality of who You have made me to be."
Based on 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:3
Prayer Focus
Setting Our Minds Above
"Lord, teach me to consistently seek things above and set my mind on heavenly realities. Help me to use my mouth as a 'remote control' - to speak Your Word when negative thoughts come. When fear, worry, or defeat arise, remind me to 'click' and change the channel."
Based on Colossians 3:1-2
Live the Higher Life
Peace, Power, and Purpose
"You were born for this life, equipped for this life, and positioned for this life through your union with Christ"
Peace in turbulence
Power in weakness
Purpose in confusion
Living from where we are - in Christ
Your spiritual address is "in Christ," seated with Him in heavenly places