“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:3
Dear Ones:
Where do we live, in heaven or on the earth? More precisely, though our feet be made of clay, where are our hearts? What dominates our thinking? How can we possibly live on earth, if we are not seeking the coming of God’s kingdom, and His will to be done, ON earth AS IT IS in heaven? Can this be achieved if we are not dominated by that which is in heaven, specifically WHO is in heaven?
There are great repercussions in the lives of those who live with their hearts and minds in heaven. The first has to do with perspective. The Lord spoke through the prophet Isaiah, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than our ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (55:9) The contrast that the Lord reveals to us is so very great in two ways. The first is the nature of His ways, which corresponds to His perfect and holy nature, most profoundly revealed to us by the love of God. The second has to do with magnitude, or the greatness, of His ways as opposed to those of the limited, sinful man. In both instances, the ways and thoughts of God are so far above those of man that one would be very foolish indeed to defer to those of man. There is another reason why we should consider, learn, and abide by what is of heaven, as opposed to earth. It deals primarily with WHO is in heaven. He is not only the One who reveals His ways to man, but also is the very fulfillment of those ways. He is the author of the truth, and the very power of life manifested according to the truth.
When Scripture speaks to us of the “gospel,” it is revealing to us the truth of God, and His dealings with man, in particular with regard to the realization of His purpose for man. In the Gospel is revealed the means by which sinful man can be saved from sin, its penalty and power, and brought by God the Holy Spirit Himself into living union with the Son of God. It is at this point in time, when one is born again of the Spirit, that he is called to “…seek those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God.” (Col. 3:1) What are these things IN CHRIST to be sought? The first is truth. Essential to all true experience of communion with God “on earth” is the truth of God, and the gospel, which is settled in heaven. When the Lord spoke of “daily bread,” a “daily cross” to be taken up, and “fresh oil,” He is speaking of spiritual truths that never change. These must be known, and used every day to appropriate Christ. The truths of the gospel are given to lead us to the knowledge of the power of Christ’s life in heaven, and experienced, or lived on this earth. The Christian has ALL in Christ (in heaven), by the Holy Spirit, for the glory of God. True Christian experience begins IN HEAVEN, by looking up seeing Him at the right hand of God, and us IN Him. The knowledge of the truths governing that relationship, specifically, fellowship with Christ, are essential to communion with God.
What can be expected by a life lived looking towards heaven, but with feet on this earth? Paul continues to write to the Colossians, unveiling a basic principal that heaven gives to us, which changes everything. As we submit to Christ’s authority, He gives us His authority and power to live differently. We have the power to put off all that is of the “old man,” all that characterized what we were in Adam, as lost sinners. He goes on to speak of the ability and power now to “put on” the new man, that man which has been created IN Christ Jesus, a new creation.
Dear Father, Open our eyes to see what has been settled in heaven, and to believe and live by it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad