Yes — to be 'risen with Christ' is to be a believer who has been identified with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection and is now in Christ, with new heavenly priorities and a new divine nature.
Les Feldick teaches that when a person believes the gospel — that Christ died, was buried, and rose again — God counts that person as having died and risen with Christ. Scripture then instructs such a believer to seek the things above where Christ is seated at God's right hand, and to set affection on things above rather than on earthly things. The result is a changed life: a new creation in Christ, with old things passing away and a new nature that cannot sin, though the old flesh remains.
Colossians 3:1 — This verse contains the actual phrase 'risen with Christ' and tells the believer to seek things above where Christ sits at God's right hand.
Romans 6:8 — It states that if we died with Christ, we shall also live with Him — the resurrection side of identification.
2 Corinthians 5:17 — It explains the result: in Christ, a new creature with old things passed away and all things become new.
Scripture directly connects being risen with Christ to a heavenly orientation. Colossians 3:1-3 says, 'If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.' The risen believer is told to set priorities on heavenly things because his life is now hidden with Christ. Romans 6:8 adds, 'Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.' And 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, 'Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.' Ephesians 2:6 also describes the believer as 'raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.' These verses show that being risen with Christ is not a mere doctrine — it is a new position, a new nature, and a new direction for the believer's affections.
Les Feldick teaches that being 'risen with Christ' begins with identification. He says, 'If you then be risen with Christ... you've identified with His death, burial, and resurrection.' This happens by faith when a person believes the gospel — that Christ died, was buried, and rose again. Les puts it this way: 'When Christ died, I died. When He was buried, I was buried. When He rose from the dead, I rose from deadness in sin, and the old Adamic estate, and He has imparted eternal life.' Because of this identification, there is a result: a change in appetites and desires. The believer is told to seek the things above, where Christ is seated at God's right hand, and to set affection on things above rather than on things of the earth. Les emphasizes that this is practical Christianity — it does not mean living in a monastery, being frugal, or being unable to enjoy life; it means priorities and first interest are heavenward. Les also describes the position. God saw the believer with Christ on the cross, in the tomb, and in the resurrection, and Paul pictures the believer as already seated with Christ in the heavenlies. The believer is 'in Christ,' a new creation; old things pass away, and God imparts a new divine nature that cannot sin — although the old flesh remains and can still trip the believer up. Finally, if we are in Christ, the Holy Spirit is in us.
Les teaches that being risen with Christ means priorities are set heavenward. In Colossians 3, the believer is told to seek those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God, and to set affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Les clarifies that this does not mean being 'so heavenly minded we're no earthly good,' nor does it mean living in a monastery or being unable to enjoy life. It simply means heaven has our first interest while we still enjoy the blessings God has given.
According to Les, a person becomes risen with Christ through believing the gospel. This is not just head assent; it is coming to the place where we genuinely rest on the fact that when Christ died, I died; when He was buried, I was buried; when He rose, I rose from deadness in sin and the old Adamic estate. God saw the believer with Christ on the cross, in the tomb, and in resurrection power, and considers the believer already seated with Christ in the heavenlies. This identification makes the believer a new creation in Christ, with old things passing away.
Les addresses this by explaining that when a person is in Christ, old things pass away and God imparts a new divine nature that cannot sin. However, the believer still has the old flesh and the old Adam, which remain capable of tripping him up. So the struggle with sin continues even though the believer is a new creation in Christ.
Justification as God's Judicial Act
Les lays the foundation that justification is God's act declaring the sinner just as if he had never sinned — the standing every believer in Christ enjoys.
Risen With Christ and Heavenly Priorities
Les reads Colossians 3:1-3 and explains that being risen with Christ means identifying with His death, burial, and resurrection, and then seeking things above where Christ sits at God's right hand.
Changed Appetites and Desires
Les says being risen with Christ produces a change in appetites and desires; priorities become heavenly even though believers can still enjoy earthly life.
Death to Life
Les connects identification with Christ's death to living with Him — old Adam is put to death and real life begins in this new relationship.
Seated With Christ in the Heavenlies
Les emphasizes that God saw the believer in Christ on the cross, in the tomb, and in resurrection power, and considers the believer already seated with Christ in the heavenlies.
In Christ and the Indwelling Spirit
Les notes that being in Christ is the secret; if we are in Christ, the Holy Spirit is in us — 'we're in Him, He's in us.'
The Gospel Identification
Les explains that believing the gospel means each believer rests on the fact that when Christ died, I died; when He was buried, I was buried; when He rose, I rose from deadness in sin and the old Adamic estate.
New Creation With the Old Flesh
Les teaches that in Christ a believer is a new creation; old things pass away and a divine nature that cannot sin is imparted, but the old flesh remains and can trip us up.
Colossians 3:1: If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
This is the key command for one who is risen with Christ — to seek the things above.
Colossians 3:2: Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
It explains the practical focus of the risen life: set affection on heavenly things, not earthly.
Colossians 3:3: For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
It shows the believer's life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Romans 6:8: Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
It connects dying with Christ to living with Him in resurrection.
2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
It describes the new creation reality of being in Christ.
Ephesians 2:6: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
It shows the believer has been raised and seated with Christ in heavenly places.
No. Les says it does not mean you have to live a Spartan life or be unable to enjoy anything. It means your priorities are set heavenward — heaven has your first interest while you still enjoy the blessings God has given.
Through believing the gospel. Les says it is by believing that Christ died, was buried, and rose again, and by coming to the place where you can rest on the fact that when Christ died, you died; when He was buried, you were buried; when He rose, you rose from deadness in sin and the old Adamic estate.
Les teaches that God imparts a new divine nature that cannot sin, but the old flesh remains and is still capable of tripping you up. So the struggle with the old Adam continues even though you are a new creation in Christ.
Watch the Teaching: What Does "Saved by Faith" Really Mean? Romans 1:16-17