Better Things
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. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. -Colossians 3:1-4
During our summer series, we have been focusing on the “Habits of Grace.” These are disciplines of a life of following Christ. During this series, I have been deeply convicted of how lazy I can be in my life as a disciple of Jesus. Many days, I just go through the motions. When I do this, however, my pursuit is not Christ, but a lesser thing (morality, being a good person, and being happy with life).
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Colossians 3 that we should seek things that are above, not the earthly things. I find Paul’s reminder to be profound. He is not just giving the church at Colossae a list of things to do to please the Lord. No, he is reminding them of the most important thing, their identity. When we are born again, we die to our old self (2 Cor. 5:17), and we are raised as a new creation in Christ. Our new life in Him is not just an accomplishment to add to our resume. It is a new identity. We are IN CHRIST!! He is our life. While most of us understand this truth from an intellectual level, we don’t walk in it daily. So, the question is why…Why do I continue to live for myself? Why do I put my needs before others? Why do I still struggle with pride? Why do I still hold resentment against my brothers and sisters? Why?
During these times of reflection and conviction, we can face great discouragement. We know we should live differently, but how? Paul answers the question in verses one and two. He reminds us to seek and set. Seek and set on things that are above. Could it be that the reason we still live like our old self is that our gaze is still on things that are earthly? When we do so, we are settling for an inferior thing. That inferior thing is earthly treasures and pursuits. These things consume us and take our eyes off our true treasure, Jesus.
Church, we have been set free from the bondage of these insignificant things. We are in fact, the righteousness of Christ. New name! New Identity! New pursuit! We are his sons and daughters. We are His ambassadors. We are His disciples. So, go and “seek things that are above, where Christ is seated…set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
During our summer series, we have been focusing on the “Habits of Grace.” These are disciplines of a life of following Christ. During this series, I have been deeply convicted of how lazy I can be in my life as a disciple of Jesus. Many days, I just go through the motions. When I do this, however, my pursuit is not Christ, but a lesser thing (morality, being a good person, and being happy with life).
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Colossians 3 that we should seek things that are above, not the earthly things. I find Paul’s reminder to be profound. He is not just giving the church at Colossae a list of things to do to please the Lord. No, he is reminding them of the most important thing, their identity. When we are born again, we die to our old self (2 Cor. 5:17), and we are raised as a new creation in Christ. Our new life in Him is not just an accomplishment to add to our resume. It is a new identity. We are IN CHRIST!! He is our life. While most of us understand this truth from an intellectual level, we don’t walk in it daily. So, the question is why…Why do I continue to live for myself? Why do I put my needs before others? Why do I still struggle with pride? Why do I still hold resentment against my brothers and sisters? Why?
During these times of reflection and conviction, we can face great discouragement. We know we should live differently, but how? Paul answers the question in verses one and two. He reminds us to seek and set. Seek and set on things that are above. Could it be that the reason we still live like our old self is that our gaze is still on things that are earthly? When we do so, we are settling for an inferior thing. That inferior thing is earthly treasures and pursuits. These things consume us and take our eyes off our true treasure, Jesus.
Church, we have been set free from the bondage of these insignificant things. We are in fact, the righteousness of Christ. New name! New Identity! New pursuit! We are his sons and daughters. We are His ambassadors. We are His disciples. So, go and “seek things that are above, where Christ is seated…set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
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1 Comment
Excellent word, Brother Kris!!