Seek the Things Above
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4 (CSB)
In Colossians 3:1-4, Paul urges believers to prioritize heavenly matters where Christ sits at God's right hand. This passage encourages focusing on eternal realities and truth rather than worldly philosophies. It also reminds us of the victory and promises God offers to His children. As we reflect on these verses today, let us examine our desires and thoughts, aiming for them to be rooted in Christ.
Seek the Things Above. Our pursuit in life often brings us pain, pressure, anxiety, and restlessness. We tend to chase worldly success and status, craving temporary, fleshly pleasures instead of focusing on the Lord. This is a natural inclination of the flesh, and the apostle Paul encouraged the Colossians to resist it by focusing on heavenly things rather than earthly ones. By seeking what is above, we overcome worldly pressures and temptations by realigning our goals with God's desires and will. This shift in focus helps bring our lives peace through the presence of the Lord and the hope rooted in our relationship with Christ.
Set Your Mind on Things Above. Paul understood that our life's direction depends on where our minds are focused. In his letter to Rome, he emphasized the importance of having a renewed mind (Romans 12:1). This renewal occurs when we stop allowing worldly philosophies and influences to control our thinking. Instead, our thoughts are guided by the Lord, leading us to live in truth. By setting our minds on heavenly things, we choose to steer our lives toward living and embodying truth.
Secure in Christ. The ability to focus on heavenly things and prioritize them naturally increases when we realize our security in Christ. When we place our faith in Jesus, we are hidden in Him and assured of eternal life. Consider the thief on the cross beside Jesus—Jesus assured him he would be with Him in paradise that day. This promise also belongs to all believers and offers hope, as Christ's security flows from God’s character and promise.
Seen With Jesus. Paul ends this passage by reminding us of the promise to be forever in the Lord’s presence. As children of God, we have the assurance of eternal life. This promise encourages us to live courageously and to await the Lord's return with hope. We anticipate the victory ahead and the glory that will follow. These promises give us strength to persevere as we navigate this life.
QUESTIONS
What are you pursuing in your life? Is it causing pain, anxiety, and unsettledness? Are you at peace in your pursuit as you trust in Christ and find peace in hope?
What controls the thought process of your mind? Are you controlled by the philosophy of the world or does the truth of the Lord control you?
