Colossians 3:1-2 ESV
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
There is a newness of life that the resurrection of Jesus Christ brought about for us. It is a life that resulted from our being “…buried with Him through baptism into death…[and] raised from the dead [with Him] by the glory of the Father” (Rom 6:4 NKJV), spiritually speaking. Previously, we were spiritually “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph 2:1 NKJV) and “alienated from the life of God” (Eph 4:18 NKJV). However, God, by His grace, “…raised us up together [with Christ], and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:6 NKJV). Thus, while we are physically here on earth now, our spiritual positioning is not here.
The Word says God “…raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:6 NLT). Hallelujah! On the strength of this, the Apostle Paul gives us a clear charge in our reference text: “Seek the things that are above…Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Our dual positioning—earthly and heavenly—carries both responsibility and outcome. While we live on earth, we are tasked with matters of God’s Kingdom in this body. Yet the greater priority is heavenly, for our physical self will soon give way to the spiritual, immortal one. Unless our hearts are set on what is heavenly, we will not seek it as we ought.
So, how do we know what to seek and set our hearts on what is heavenly? By the help of the Holy Spirit. He proceeds from the Father and the Son; He “searches all things, even the deep things of God” (1 Cor 2:10 NIV), and is the Person of the Godhead, present both in heaven and on earth. He gives us daily, fresh zeal to long for what matters to God and His Kingdom. The Spirit of God is the true source of our saltiness (Mat 5:13) and fragrance (Exo 30:25) in serving God. He empowers our walk and works in the newness of life in Christ Jesus. Oh, that your passion for deeper fellowship with the Holy Spirit would burn afresh!
Pst. Emmanuel