Pastor Caleb Gordon: Everything is different now

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. - Colossians 3:1

As I thought about how I wanted to kick this column off, I could not think of a better way to do it than this. Because of what Jesus has done on the cross, everything has changed. Because of the person of Christ and the work of Christ on Calvary’s cross, everything is different.

Think about it. "We were dead in our trespasses and sin" according to Ephesians 2:1, and because you and I broke the law of God (the ten commandments), we were born as enemies of God. Therein lies the entire problem with humanity. But because of Jesus, everything is different. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved (Ephesians 2:4-5). Because of Christ, we have life that is never going to end, life that is abundant and free, life that transforms everything about our existence. So, because of this amazing new life that has been gifted to us, our outlook should be different. Our focus should be brighter, and our gaze should be more upward and outward-focused.

Why should that be? Because when God’s word exposed our sinfulness and we repented of our sins and trusted Christ’s finished work on the cross, our life was completely transformed into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). You see, when we enter into genuine newness of life with Jesus, our sins are left buried and we are raised WITH Christ. You are one WITH Christ. When God looks at you, He no longer sees your sin, He sees the righteousness of His Son, Jesus, in you!! We have been granted access to something. More than that, we've been granted access to SOMEONE you've never been able to get to before. KING JESUS! Our hearts should be delighting in Jesus! Because of JESUS.

When our focus is transfixed on the right Person and the right thing, life in and of itself has a supernatural shift. The trials and temptations of this life really start to lose their power and potency. JESUS is so much more impressive than anything else that's happening in the world. Our worries stop controlling our lives because we have put our hope in Jesus, our KING! When you're a child of a king, you don't have to worry. Everything is going to be OK. He will take care of you.

This idea reminds me of that great old hymn:

Turn your eyes upon JesusLook full in His wonderful faceAnd the things of Earth will grow strangely dimIn the light of His glory and grace

I want you all to see something as we finish up today. According to the above verse, Christ is seated at the right hand of God. What is He doing there? Well, the Bible tells us what He is doing.

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Romans 8:34

Did you catch that? He's INTERCEDING for us!!! INTERCEDING ON OUR BEHALF. That’s just mind-blowing. Someone as messy as Caleb Gordon has a Savior that loves me enough to save me from my wickedness. Most importantly, He's my advocate. He is proclaiming that I belong to HIM! That should really give us a boldness that we've never had before. Fear not! JESUS IS SOVEREIGN.

So, as you walk through your day today, know that Jesus is in control! Don't let the world drag you down. Rest and trust in HIM today! And if you’re reading this and you’re saying, "How in the world can I get in on this newness of life?" I’ll leave you with the words of JESUS. "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." -Mark 1:15

Caleb Gordon is a longtime Bartlesville resident and pastor of the First Baptist Church of Cedar Vale, Kansas.

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Pastor Caleb Gordon: Everything is different now