The Apostle Paul had come to a climactic point in his discussion with the Christians in Colossae in the verse above. Notice again his communication: “…if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances.” Amazing and profound: the Christian doesn’t live in this world; in this natural plane of life! Hallelujah!

 

You’re therefore not supposed to be affected, ruled or influenced by the rudiments of this world; the vagaries of life and nature can’t, and shouldn’t, impact on you because you’re from another plane; a different environment; the Christ-environment.

 

In the Old Testament, after the children of Israel left Egypt and journeyed through the desert, they carried their own atmosphere with them. Even though they were in the desert, they were unaffected, unblemished, and untainted by the severity and debilitating effects of the desert. During the day, they had a cloud as their covering against the scorching sun, and at night, there was a pillar of fire shielding them from the biting cold. They were in a different environment. How glorious!

 

Being born again, you have something far more glorious: you’re in “Christ.” Christ is a place, an environment. You were born into the environment called Christ, when you were born again. In that environment, life is different; everything is pure and perfect; there’s no failure, weakness, defeat, sickness, disease, poverty or any of the negativities of life! All you have is glory, righteousness, life and immortality, joy, health, peace, prosperity, and abundance!

 

The Christ-environment is the kingdom of heaven. You have absolute mastery over circumstances; you’re never subject to the principles of this world, because you really don’t live in this world. This is the understanding that the Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, is passing to us in our theme verse. You live “in,” and from, heaven. Therefore, set your focus on things above; things that are pertinent to the heavenly realm to which you belong, and from which you play. Hallelujah!