Week 8: March 27-April 2
Seeking Things Above
Colossians 3:1-4
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have 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.
This past week we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many celebrated it as a historical event and don’t understand the true meaning of the cross. I hope that you who are reading this devotional understand the true meaning of Easter and the amazing sacrifice Christ made.
Many Christians understand the gospel, the cross, and their need for salvation. But many believers don’t understand what happens after the cross – “what does it mean to be a Christian?” Paul gives us 4 awesome verses that describe the change and the charge of the Christian life.
Seek and set your minds on things above!
Paul tells us to seek things that are above. First, Paul instructs us to seek, which means to desire and strive for things above. What are these “things above”? Paul’s give us a clue in verse 1: “seek things above, where Christ is.” Christ is in heaven. Christ is in a spiritual realm. Christ is reigning over His spiritual kingdom. Paul is telling us to focus on this spiritual, heavenly realm. Paul also tells us to “set our minds on things above.” Gordon Lightfoot gives insight to the difference between seeking and setting. He says, “you must not only seek heaven; you must also think heaven.” The pull of earthly thoughts will naturally be with us; we need to train ourselves to turn our thoughts toward things above.
You have died!
In vs 3 Paul reminds us that the old man is dead! The old unsaved you is dead! The person you were before you met Christ is DEAD! Jesus resurrected the new you at salvation. You are now “hidden” in Christ. This means that our life is now a “spiritual” life. It is a “hidden” or “unseen” life in a spiritual realm, with a spiritual fight, and a spiritual focus. Our lives are no longer here and now, we are looking forward to heavenly things and a future life with Christ in a spiritual realm. Paul is urging us to live in this new reality as Christians. Stop focusing on cares of earth and the old life. YOU ARE DIFFERENT!
Christ is your life!
In verse 4 Paul makes the point that we will be with Christ when he returns. The small phrase at the start of the verse should have great impact on us: Christ is our life. If you are seeking and setting your mind on things above, Christ will truly be your life. You will be consumed with him and not with your own life! Can you truly say that Christ is your life?
Pray Together
- Pray that God helps you seek and set your mind on things above.
- Pray that God will create an opportunity for a Gospel conversation this week.
- Pray that God will develop in you a heart of prayer and dependence on Him.
Further Reading
- Helpful article on practical ways to set your minds on things above: Link