On things above

There are some verses in the New Testament that advise us as Christians our hearts and minds need to stay centered on heavenly things. The verses should be familiar to us because we have considered them once before.  There is no doubt in my mind, if you are reading this now, you are aware that you are a part of this world. We live and breathe in the physical world we inhabit.  Then in turning to the scripture we see the words of the Apostle Paul in telling us that we should be focused on heavenly things.  

For some, this might seem problematic.  To live in physical realm, but have our priorities set on the eternal realm.  Look once again at the opening verses of Colossians 3. 

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Jesus also spoke of this in the Sermon on the Mount, when talking about priorities, which he called our "treasure."  He wants us to see even though we are living in the physical world, when we are committed to him, the most important things to us are those things of heaven.  He then says, "where your treasure is, there will be your heart as well."

Neither Paul nor Jesus would have us neglect our responsibilities in this world. We still have earthly obligations to be a good father or mother, or to be a good neighbor and citizen, and we certainly have the obligation of the Great Commission to "go into all the world" with the message of the gospel. 

Knowing this, I am brought to asking myself how often I act and react like my heart is set on things above. And I am told to set my mind on things above, and not no earthly things.  I don't know about you but speaking for myself, I need to think more about those things, and my heart needs to be set more on those things.

Now note in the verses under consideration, our hearts are to be set on those things above because that's where Jesus is, seated at the right hand of God.  Also, our minds are to be set on things above because we died, and our lives are now hidden with Christ in God. 

The Christian longs to be where Jesus is.  In descriptive language Paul reminds us that when we gave our lives to Jesus, we identified with him in his death, burial and resurrection.  Therefore, we died to the sins and drawbacks of this world, even though we still live our physical lives here.  That identification with Jesus is why Paul can say, "When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. "  

Praise God often that even though you are in this world, you do not have to remain of this world. 

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