Dead, Risen, Hid!

"DEAD, RISEN, HID!"

There seems to be only one way of "abiding" in Christ; "hidden!". In Col 2:20 ("dead"), 3:1 ("risen"), and 3:3 ("hid").

The Lord long ago showed me that the predicate to Christianity was {1} Jn 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease" -(*John the Baptist*); {2} Jn 15:5, "I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without Me ye can do nothing!" -(*Jesus*); {3} Col 3:3, "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God!" -(*Paul*).

But just what does it mean to have a life "hid" with Christ? I guess it means the same as having a "fruitful" life! Most people I know think "fruitful-ness" has something to do with what we do, rather than what Christ has already accomplished! I think we need to have another look at just what Jesus meant by the word, "finished"! No "dead" man is "fruitful"! And the "new creature" ("risen with Christ") knows but one thing; to cling to Christ. Could this be some of what is meant by "holding the head" which seems to be the overriding subject of Colossians?-(see 2:19).

Jesus said a seed must "die" to bear fruit, and any man who would not "deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me" was not worthy to be His disciple. And Paul tells us here that we're dead! One thing seems certain: Until I believe I'm "dead", I won't understand "risen", - and until then, I could never comprehend "hidden in Christ"! And, if that's the case, Do I really understand "fruitfulness"?