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. 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.
Colossians 3:1-4 

     The crux of the matter of Christian living comes down to practically appropriating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God has acted in grace fulfilling his own justice while showing mercy to sinners. He has done what no man would have ever imagined. In one fatal swoop he has forgiven our sins, disabled Satan, and defeated death. Now it is our privilege and responsibility to live out the implications of this marvelous act of redemption. Wonder of wonders! We have been united with him in his death. That means we don't have to spend our lives trying to suppress our unruly, rebellious flesh. We have been raised with him. That means we don't have to try to be better. We can be transformed.
 
      Our challenge is to believe what God says is true about our new privilege. Our minds have been set on things below. We have defined reality by what the test tube can prove. We have believed the deceptive reports of those whose means for knowledge is limited to observation. We have come to accept that our past defines us and limits our future. We are accustomed to guiding our decisions around our fears and insecurities. We have become comfortable feeling guilty and have learned how to dress shame in a socially acceptable garb. We are so sin-conscious that we have concluded that we could never be free from the stain. Conflicts with others are so commonplace that we are sure that any reconciliation must be designated for a future world after our death. Sin, sickness, sadness, and selfishness describe our existence more often than joy, peace and love. We aren't taking advantage of being "in Christ".
 
      It requires a choice and a determination. We have been programmed by the "below perspective" and must by faith choose a new program for our minds. There is no magic pill to swallow that will automatically change us. God's word has been planted in us as a seed. It will come up and produce fruit if we will cultivate it. Some erroneous perspectives, like weeds, must be eliminated. They are choking out the growth of truth. We must feed the seeds of truth that reside in our spirit with proper meditation and accurate internal conversation. The thoughts that run through our minds during each day must be monitored and corrected. Every thought must be made to align with the thoughts of God as revealed in the words and acts of Jesus. If our conclusions are contrary to those of one who has died with Christ to sins and been raised from the dead by the Spirit, then they are wrong and must be judged as such. It is often helpful to ask the question: If I were seated with Christ in the place of ultimate authority having been freed from sin and delivered from death, would I be thinking this? We cannot continue to set our focus on things below and expect to harvest the fruit of the life lived above.