You’re absolutely right, and Paul actually deals with that in the passage above (Colossians 3:1-4) as well. I think what he is doing is drawing a parallel between the physical experience of Jesus and our identity. Just as Jesus died, our old man is crucified (and yes, buried, praise God). Just as Jesus rose from the dead, we, too are risen (a truth that doesn’t get preached very often). We are alive! And as I mentioned, I have understood and written about those truths before (see http://www.lifevesting.com/blog/2010/04/a-good-day-to-be-dead/).

But it is also true in yet another dimension that just as Jesus has ascended to heaven, and we are “in Him,” a part of us remains hidden – waiting a future revealing. That was my point.

Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”