Read Colossians 3:1–4
Questions from the Scripture text: What has happened to believers (Colossians 3:1)? With whom? What, then, should they seek? How does verse 1 proceed to define above—who is there? Where is He sitting? Upon what should believers set their minds (Colossians 3:2a)? Upon what shouldn’t they (verse 2b)? What has happened to them (Colossians 3:3a)? Where is their life now (verse 3b)? What is Christ to us (Colossians 3:4a)? What is He going to do? Who else will appear with Him (verse 4b)? In what condition?
The second half of chapter 2 emphasized how manmade religion is a cheat that hinders us from actually holding fast to the actual Christ. We are in a battle against what comes from us, so why would we approve as spiritually helpful anything that came from man instead of that which has been given by God?!
Now, turning the page into chapter 3, we have a similar exhortation from the converse perspective. However useless man’s ideas are, that much more efficacious is Christ and His ideas. Do we not realize how glorious a thing it is to be a Christian—to be raised with Christ (Colossians 3:1a)? Do we not realize how glorious He is, in union with Whom we have been raised—sitting at the right hand of God (verse 1c)?!
Seek those things which are above (verse 1b)! Set your mind on things above, not things on earth (Colossians 3:2)!
We mustn’t make the silly mistake of thinking that this means that we are not to be acting in, and reacting to, our earthly circumstances. In the next passage, “your members which are on the earth” are defined as that which is sinful. From us apart from Christ. By contrast, then, the “seek those things which are above” means to have the priorities of heaven in dependence upon the power of heaven.
Our eternal survival is sure. Our life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3b). So why would we live according to the priorities, or by the power, which we have renounced and to which we have died (verse 3a)? No, we have been raised with Christ (Colossians 3:1a). We have a new dominating principle for our life. We have a new indomitable power for our life. It all ends with us radiating with His selfsame glory in the last day (Colossians 3:4).
You’ve stopped living for the priorities of the flesh. Stop living by the pseudo-power or pseudo-wisdom of the flesh!
What are heaven’s priorities for your life? What does it look like to live for that? How has God given you to have Christ as your power for this? What use are you making of those means as you hope in Him?
Sample prayer: Lord, you have raised us up with Christ to new, invincible, eternal life in Him. Forgive us for when we slouch into living to indulge our flesh. Forgive us for when we foolishly think that spiritual gains can be made by anything that man has come up with. By Your Spirit, grant us instead faithfulness in the means that You have appointed. And make those means effectual to us by the power and life of Christ, we ask through Him, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP23B“The Lord’s My Shepherd” or TPH457“Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness”
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