March 4
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KEEP SEEKING THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE
Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. – Colossians 3:1-4
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In this letter, Paul reminds the Gentile believers in Colossae what it means to be a servant of Christ. In verse 1, he tells them the importance of focusing on things that are spiritual, things that are above, where Jesus is beside the right hand of God. He further explains in verse 2 that these things are not the ones that we see and physically belongs to this world. In verse 3, Paul tells them the reason why they need to focus on these spiritual things: because they have accepted Jesus in their lives, they have already died to their flesh, their earthly desires and their lives belong to Christ now. In verse 4, he gives them hope to aim at that glory that comes with the promise of eternal life to those who follow Him.
What are the things that are above?
Guzik comments that “The best Christian living comes from minds that are fixed on heaven. They realize that their lives are now hidden with Christ in God, and since Jesus is enthroned in heaven, their thoughts and hearts are connected to heaven also. Clarke commends us to “Love heavenly things; study them; let your hearts be entirely engrossed by them. Now, that you are converted to God, act in reference to heavenly things as ye did formerly in reference to those of earth.” Vaughn says “‘Earthly things’ are not all evil, but some of them are. Even things harmless in themselves become harmful if permitted to take the place that should be reserved for the things above.” While Barclays says “We must note carefully what Paul means by that. He is certainly not pleading for an other-worldliness in which the Christian withdraws himself from all the work and activities of this world and does nothing but contemplate eternity. Immediately after this Paul goes on to lay down a series of ethical principles which make it quite clear that he expects the Christian to go on with the work of this world and to maintain all its normal relationships. But there will be this difference–from now on the Christian will view everything against the background of eternity and no longer live as if this world was all that mattered.
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REFLECTION
• How can a believer continue seeking the things that are above?