Tuesday, February 20th, 2024
Scripture: Col. 3:1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Teaching: Again, we see Paul use the word “therefore,” connecting the preceding verses in chapter two to these verses in chapter 3. Remembering back from last week, Paul argued at the end of chapter two for believers to focus on Christ rather than the flesh as the means for repenting of sin and squashing the temptations of the flesh. Here, he gives the mindset believers are to have: an eternal mindset. It is difficult for any of us to grasp the enormity of eternity, especially when our immediate future is thrown into doubt or temptation by events of life. A general rule of life is that what seems needed, best, or gratifying now often overpowers what is truly best in the long-run. This principle becomes evermore true when we consider the “long-run” to be eternity with Christ.
Thus, to encourage the Colossians, Paul urges them to “set their minds on the things above.” What does this mean? Think of it this way: the Bible tells us that we all will be given bodies that we will live in forever – either with the Lord or forever away from the Lord. We will all be somewhere, and where we live out eternity depends entirely on faith in Christ as our Lord and Savior in this life. For those Paul is addressing here, those “raised up with Christ,” the question is not where they will live eternally but in what way. There are parables speaking to rewards in eternity for service to the Lord in this life, and those are wonderful and inspiring. But consider this question: What do you think you’ll like above heaven if you do not love holiness now?
Takeaway: Setting our minds on things above is more than simply tuning out the things of this world; it is loving the things of heaven! It is loving Christ and His way only, seeking after Him, resting in Him, and praying to Him. As Paul reminds us here, Christ has already raised us to life in Him and He is resting in the completed work of the cross at the right hand of God. Thus, we are to pursue holiness in this life not because it earns us anything but because we love Christ and His way. We love holiness because Christ is holy and we want more of Him.