SEEK THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE

Colossians 3:1-4 says: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” In these verses, we are exhorted to be focused on Christ, to have our affections tuned to Christ. It is a command, not a request, applicable for everyone who is to “be risen with Christ”.

A Tool For A Tough Command

But why is this so important? We have our daily work, our daily chores, homework, office politics to settle, bills to pay, people to care for, tasks to settle. That’s quite a lot of things taking up our daily attention.

It is important because it is one critical tool to help us with another - challenging command. Luke 9:23 says: “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” I have always found this to be one of the most challenging verses. It talks about taking up a cross – a tool of execution. It requires you to take it up daily. It requires determination – not just press a button and it’s done – you have to follow Jesus through the day. And you have to deny yourself. How do we do all these?

The Right Mindset

This is where Colossians 3:1-4 comes in. This verse directs our focus, and helps us adopt the right mindset.

First, it reminds us of who we are serving - Christ, who sitteth on the right hand of God. It is a position of power and glory. He sits above all creation, and everything is subjected to him. 1 Peter 3:22 says: “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” He is part of the Godhead, and there is no greater entity that we can think about.

At work, we have our bosses. We care about their thoughts, their moods. We hope to work for good bosses. As a nation, we care about our leaders. We want competent, strong leaders. We think about our bosses, our national leaders. Yet, what is even more important is that we serve a good God – how fortunate for us that our all-powerful, all-knowing God loves us, and sent Christ to die for us? It is a marvel that deserves our regular attention.

Second, it reminds us that we should be dead to the things of this world, but our lives are hidden with Christ. Our earlier life, the old self that wanted as much self-glory, riches, worldly pleasures – this old self should be dead. Colossians 3:5 explains this: “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:” So, we must put to death the desires of this world, the pride of life, the desires to seek out our own glory.

Then, if we put to death the desires of the world, what do we replace it with? What do we look forward to? A new life, hidden and secured with Christ. What is this new life like? The text says “Christ, who is our life” – we are to be so engrossed with Christ, that it becomes our life. Just as how people say “music is his life” or “sports is his life”, for the Christian, this life should be about Christ. In such a Christ-centred life, we are to act as a new man, as Colossians 3:10 reminds us: “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”

Third, it reminds us that Christ is coming. It says plainly – Christ shall appear. There is no doubt. And when Christ appears, we will also “appear with him in glory” – the new Christian life will no longer be hidden, but apparent. It is a call for faith in this glorious future.

A Renewing Of Our Minds

If we are to truly adopt the new mindset of Colossians 3:1-4, if it truly becomes a habit of thought, over time, our affections themselves may change. The things of this world will lose their allure and flavour. What worldly things that used to excite may seem so dull and transient. Romans 12:2 encourages us: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” We can look forward to a continual renewing of our minds.

With this, renewing our minds, what we need to change, and the “old man” that we need to “mortify”, as in Colossians 3:5 to 9, may be much easier. In its place, the new man that we need to “put on”, as in Colossians 3:10 to 14, may be much easier to do.

And as we become less and less like the “old man”, and more and more like the “new man”, would you feel more prepared to bear your cross daily, and follow Jesus? Looking up to Christ, the Saviour who died for you, is it not easier to follow Him? Recognising that we are to be dead to this world, with our lives hidden with Christ, is it not easier to deny yourself? And with our assured hope of Christ’s coming, is it not easier to take up the cross daily? The command is difficult, but God has given us equally strong tools. 

Even if the ideal espoused in Colossians 3:1-4 seems too far away and hard to achieve, do not lose heart. The mind is plastic, and day by day, we can change our thoughts and emotions. And remember, Luke 1:37: “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Let us set our affections on the things that are above, and look forward to the renewing of our minds, giving us the courage to daily bear our cross and follow Him. And if we do so, Colossians 3:15 says: “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”