YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH THE QUOTE, “Don’t be so heavenly-minded that you’re no earthly good.” Though I understand the intention behind the statement – that we would be engaged in the world – I find it to be contrary to good doctrine. In fact, I believe the opposite of the statement to be true – “Be SO heavenly-minded that you might be of earthly good.” That’s at least what Paul seems to be saying in Colossians 3.
The apostle was writing to a church that was placed in one of the most diverse cities in the Roman Empire. Colossae was religiously diverse, culturally diverse, and philosophically diverse. There were many different people with many different ideas. What concerned Paul was that some of the members of the church in Colossae (the Colossians) were being influenced and led astray by a “hollow and deceptive philosophy” (Colossians 2:8). Kind of sounds like our own day, right? “Hollow and deceptive philosophies” abound in our culture and too often find their ways into our churches as well: humanism (the system of thinking that elevates humans and diminishes God), materialism (the tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as being more important than spiritual values), and hedonism (the worship of pleasure – sex, food, entertainment).
Paul’s remedy to the Colossian malady was to point them back to Christ and their identity in him – to lead them to be “heavenly-minded.” In Colossians 3:1-3, we find two directives to help us reset our eyes upon our true home.
Set Our Hearts On Our Rank In Christ
First, Paul encourages us to set our hearts on our rank in Christ. “Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1). The apostle wanted his readers to understand that though they were physically on earth, they were spiritually present in heaven with Christ. Being seated with Christ in glory is as much my reality as being seated at my desk as I write this devotional. Christ’s resurrection position at the right hand of the Father in the place of honor and position of authority was reserved for the person with the most access to the Sovereign. And you and I sit there with/in Jesus – beloved, entrusted, esteemed, befriended by God. What an amazing truth to behold!
Set Our Minds On Our Reality In Christ
Second, Paul encourages us to set our minds on our reality in Christ. “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” (Colossians 3:2-3). For a second time in this passage Paul mentions “things above.” These are unseen things, hidden things that are in heaven where we abide in the risen Lord. We’re to put our attention and energy on the fact that we are not of this world. Our minds are to continually turn to our union with Christ and the hidden life.
We are to have our thoughts set on the reality that we are no longer characterized by sin because the old self died with Christ and we have been given a new life, empowered from heaven.
So how do we go about setting our hearts and minds on these heavenly realities? It’s quite simple:
- Read the Word.
- Meditate on the Word.
- Sing the Word.
- Memorize the Word.
- Study the Word
- Pray the Word.
- Share the Word.
- Live the Word.
PRAYER
Father, these truths are almost too great to consider! How can it be that though I am presently living on earth in this body, I am even also residing in your presence in Christ? But you have declared these truths to me and I believe them. May these thoughts soak deep into my mind and penetrate my heart, that I may know you more and experience more of the life you have given me. In all of this may I be of great “earthly good” until you call me to my true home. Amen.
PONDER
- How does it make you feel that God has so welcomed you into his presence that you sit with Christ at his right hand?
- In verse 3, Paul says we have died in Christ. What still needs to be put to death in your life today?
- In what ways is God calling you to “seek the things that are above”?