“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2 ESV
Reflection: how can you tell a genuine diamond from a fake?
Some time back, we considered engaging a man for some work. This man had all the right titles and credentials, even came highly recommended by someone we know and trust. But, through the first interview conversation, we determined that he was “a fake”. Which was frustrating, because he came so highly recommended. You might wonder, did we even give him a fair chance? How could we make such a quick decision about him? One of the measures I use is whether words and actions line up. If a person says one thing, perhaps about what they stand for or believe, but their actions say something differently, then they are a fake. A hypocrite. Then titles don’t mean anything. You can call a man-made cubic zirconia a diamond, but the title doesn’t make it a diamond. A diamond is determined by what it is made of, and who made it. Whether it is made by man or God.
And I was thinking this morning, why did God allow us to even interact with this man to begin with? It seemed such a waste of time. But, then I realized that, in order to build up, to strengthen our discernment, we need to be exposed to both the genuine and the fake. Jesus was challenged by the religious community about who He was and is. Because Jesus had called them out, told them indirectly and directly that they were fakes. That they had the outward appearance of being godly, but inside they were evil. “While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.” Luke 11:37-39 ESV
In our focus verses today, Paul wrote to the Colossians something very interesting. This is, in a way, a way to determine whether someone has truly accepted Christ. To know whether they are the real thing, genuine, or just have the outward appearance. A Christian “In name only”. He talks about “seeking the things above where Christ is”. Now, consider how he starts this out, with a conditional statement, saying “If then you have been raised with Christ,” then seek the things above. His point is that our old self has died with Christ, and no longer should “rule” us. “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.” Colossians 3:3-6 ESV.
So what are the things from above then, that will characterize the genuine Christian? Someone that has been raised with Christ, and is actively living in Christ? Paul writes “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 12-14 ESV This is consistent with what Jesus said “You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.” Matthew 7:16-18 ESV.
One of the simple tests for separating a fake diamond, a manmade lookalike, versus the real thing, is using light. One online expert wrote “Diamonds sharply bend, or refract, the light that passes through them, resulting in their strikingly brilliant appearance. Check for “sparkles.” A real diamond will sparkle significantly more than an equivalently-size piece of glass or quartz.” “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”” John 8:12 ESV. Our discernment is, whether a person who calls themselves a Christian, refracts the light of Christ, whether they are brilliant and sparkle from His light, so to speak.