Archived Verse Of the Week

- BsL

As we head into another New Year, we must remind ourselves to set our minds on the things above, not the things below.

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It can be challenging to retrain our minds to the One who created us in the thick of life, where our emphasis is frequently fixed on the daily grind of existence, our work, our families, our friends, and our own aspirations and goals. 

Colossians 3:2 instructs us to focus our affection on things above rather than here on earth. What does that imply? Does this imply that our pursuit of happiness here on earth is wrong? Although it doesn't mean that, it suggests we should live with eternity in mind.

How frequently are we guilty of focusing on the here and now? What is best for us in this lifetime? It's similar to what Jesus said to Peter, "for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." Matthew 16:23. I'm not sure about you, but I frequently fail to keep the things of God in mind amid all the daily craziness.

While there's nothing wrong with making a good life for ourselves here on earth, we must always keep in mind that we didn't bring anything with us when we entered this world and that we won't be taking anything with us when we depart. Our citizenship as Christians is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). In the face of eternity, the empire you establish for yourself on earth will be meaningless. This is how Matthew 6:19–21 puts it: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Praise the Lord for His mercy toward us; after all, His compassions are new every morning. Continue to apply God's word to your life. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" Colossians 3:16. You will discover that God has a role for you in this complicated world and that you are important to those who are close to you.

Paul urges Christians to keep their hearts and thoughts fixed on heavenly things rather than earthly activities and interests. We are commanded to focus our hearts and minds on the realities of heaven because we have been given a new life, a new creation in Christ and received a heavenly inheritance. In heaven, we will have our glorious citizenship. Because of this, we must keep our thoughts on things above and resist being swayed by earthly concerns. We are to live by relying on Jesus, not on our ability. Knowing that we will experience hardship in this life but that Christ has triumphed over it and that we have a magnificent inheritance that will never perish, spoil, or fade away, we find our sufficiency in Christ!

When we choose a heavenly mindset rather than an earth-focused mindset, we enjoy the freedom found in Christ through the Word of God, so set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

And lastly, don't forget that wonderful promise in Psalm 34:10, "But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing."