Sabbath: Living With Christ
Daily Lesson for Sabbath Afternoon 7th of March 2026
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study
Colossians 3:1-17, Romans 1:18, Romans 6:1-7, Ephesians 4:22-24, Deuteronomy 7:6-8, 1 Samuel 16:23.
Memory Text: “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection” (Colossians 3:14, NKJV).
It’s commonly urged not to be so heavenly-minded; otherwise, we’ll be of no earthly good. While true in some sense, there’s an equally important concept that Paul highlights in Colossians 3:1-25: if we are too earthly-minded, we will be of no heavenly use to the Lord.
Paul draws our attention to many practical, real-life principles that are born of heaven and can be understood only by those who are “risen with Christ” (Colossians 3:1).
Paul’s counsels are very down-to-earth principles that will enhance all our relationships, and not just within the church.
Jesus said, “ ‘Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you . . . that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust’ ” (Matthew 5:44-45, NKJV).
Sound impossible? It is, humanly speaking. We need to die before we can really live for God. It’s why we must be heavenly-minded if we hope to be of any earthly use to our heavenly Father.
This week we’ll see ways in which living with Christ can make a difference, now and eternally.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 14.
Living with someone is pretty tough. A lot of people give up. One of the big tests is that you don’t always get your own way. I have been married nearly sixty years now and I freely admit I am still learning. I think I have already told you that last year we bought a new car and it had to be bright red rather than a nice cool white! I hear these stories about people who have been married and never had a disagreement, and I’m sure they are either very dull people or are lying through their back teeth.
And if you think that living with Christ is going to be a walk in the garden, then you probably have the wrong perception of what it is all about. The relationship can be quite turbulent at times. I love the story of Peter. His relationship with Jesus swung from high euphoria to dismal depression. One moment he was walking on water and the next he was drowning among the fishes.
I have reached the age where I am happy to be living with someone. My hearing is not good, and my eyes, while still functional, are showing signs of aging. I love having Carmel with me. She is my wing-woman. She listens and looks out for me. We work together as a team. That is why I am happy to put up with a bright red car.
Living with Christ is not saccharine sweet. It has its own turbulance, but we can be assured that whatever the circumstances, Jesus is our wing-man; always on the lookout for us.
Jesus said: lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Matt 28:20 KJV
The lesson writer’s statement, “We need to die before we can really live for God”, is indeed desirable. This statement echoes Jesus’s own words, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25, NKJV). Paul continues to expound this exposition by saying, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20). This is the true power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our old, sinful life, habits, and identity dominated by sin must die. Old life must be replaced by new life in Christ Jesus. The old and the new cannot dwell together. The old must die to make room for the new. For the new life to blossom in us, we must die to sin (Romans 6:11), we must die to the old nature (Colossians 3:3–5), and for these to happen, we must be in union with Christ. This union is what brings the transformation. Yes, God died (Jesus) to give us power to overcome sin. We, too, must die to the newness of life.
The second of the writer’s statements that has struck a deep resonance with me is, “We must be heavenly-minded if we hope to be of any earthly use to our heavenly Father”. I find this statement completely in agreement with what Jesus said, ” Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33). All that we do here on earth will be of very minimal significance without having heaven perspective. “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2). Our priorities, mindset, value system, and perspectives should have heaven orientation. Of what value will all that we do have without pleasing God first? In fact, on our own, we can do absolutely nothing without God (John 15:5). Whatever usefulness we have, if any, comes from God. Therefore, let us get God’s approval first before seeking human endorsement. When our heavenly vision is clear, our earthly mission will have a true impact.
Intellectual knowledge of Christ, or even partial understanding without divine revelation, leaves us spiritually blind, much like the Pharisees and Sadducees. Their misunderstanding of the Scriptures led them to expect a different Messiah than Jesus of Nazareth, who stood before them. Those poor men did not recognize that the very Jesus before them was the One who, though being God and equal with the Father, “emptied Himself” and became a man (Philippians 2:6–7). They failed to realize that living with Christ means our lives must be characterized by His virtues. Our value system should produce the fruit of the Spirit in the present age. Living with Christ calls us to an experience in this life that we will also carry into eternity (1 Corinthians 13:8–13).
As we set our hope on heaven, and more specifically on Christ Jesus, we must experience His transforming power that enables us to lay aside our sins and pursue a daily relationship with Him by fixing our eyes on heavenly things. Paul wrote, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2). In Paul’s perspective, fixing our eyes above does not lead to laziness, but to a life of godliness that depends on Christ, the author of our faith. Living with Christ provides the vital connection between our heavenly hope and godly living.
There is always going to be a tension between living on Earth while at the same time setting our minds on things above.
Of ourselves we cannot do it, it is only through the indwelling of the the Holy Spirit that we will be able to be both Heavenly minded and Earthly good!!!!
Living in Christ – Col.3:1-4. To me, living ‘with’ Christ implies that the old man walks alongside the new man. But God’s aim is to transform our heart, mind, and spirit. We are called to put off the old man and put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him:
Col.3:8-17 –
v.11 – ”… but Christ is all and in all.”
v.14 – ”But above all these things put on Love, which is the bond of perfection.”
v.15 – ”And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”.
Eph.4:22-24 –
”That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”
We received a clear and concise picture of what constitutes the ‘old’ vs. the ‘new’ man. No way this could be misunderstood or debated to meant something other than what is clearly stated. It is left to us to believe it and live it – following the path laid out for us – Matt.7:14; Matt.16:24; John 13:15; John 8:12.
Uniting heaven and earth is also about having our mind in heaven. It is only when our mind is heaven that we can survive on this earth and have eternal life.
Jesus can make all the difference in anyone’s life. The difference the world can taste as “salt.”
Living the life of Christ requires an in-depth understanding of the scripture and the help of the holy spirit to be able to practice these things.it takes a whole level of Christianity to be able to wake up one day and say I want to pray for my enemies, I do not want to pay back evil with evil, I want to be like Christ and lots more. To achieve this the heart and mind needs a transformation involving the death in Christ and living with him.