Should Christians today focus more on Jesus' earthly ministry or on His death, burial, and resurrection?
From the time of His death, burial, and resurrection, believers are not to hang as much on His earthly ministry as on His death, burial, and resurrection—His shed blood, the power of the Gospel—setting their affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Les teaches that verse 16 makes clear that from the time of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, we are not to hang as much on His earthly ministry as we are on His death, burial, and resurrection, His shed blood, the power of the Gospel. Colossians 3 then shows the believer’s position: if you are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, let them be your priority, and set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Les explains this is practical Christianity, not being so heavenly minded as to be no earthly good, and not a requirement to live Spartan or refuse to enjoy anything; rather, it means our priorities are set heavenward, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.