Just a quick glance at a cable news program or a scan of a newspaper article is usually enough to make one think that the world is "going to hell in a hand basket." Wars rage throughout the globe, genocide goes unchecked in Africa, Communism is not dead and is finding new friends in South America, and our own economy is perilous and troubled. In addition to all of that, the technology of today's modern world brings temptation to your fingertips. A click here or a click there and some of our basest desires can be gained through the Internet. TV and movies can also be full of sin and temptations of all kinds. It is natural to wonder exactly how can a Christian live amidst all of that? Of course, God does not leave us to wonder without an answer, and Colossians 3:1-3 is a good place to start.
Colossians 3:1-2 tells us, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Paul's remedy to living in this world is to make sure we think about heavenly things. We are to put our minds on spiritual matters and not on indulging the flesh. In other words, we as Christians have been given a new life in Christ; thus, we should have a new thought-life and a new set of priorities. If we do this, then we will be protected from the two errors that often arise as Christians live in this world.
Error number one is legalism. Paul describes that in previous verses in Colossians. Legalism is the attempt to make the things of the earth inherently evil, in and of themselves. "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," as Paul defines it in 2:21. Maybe some of you grew up with the old mantra that I did of "Do not smoke, drink, or chew or go with those who do." Paul says this attitude is a "show of wisdom in will worship" (Col. 2:23). It sounds like a great way to keep oneself pure, but it is not real wisdom, and won't help you avoid temptation. Temptation does not come from physical objects; it comes from within us. Simply avoiding worldly things is no real solution because it fails to deal with the root of sin within us. Paul says that rather than adopting a legalistic attitude, we should set our minds on things above and seek those things that are in heaven, where Christ the Lord now sits. How is this a help for living in a sinful world? When we think on things above, we understand the true root of sin within us, and we know the only real answer for sin is Christ Jesus. Setting our minds on things above will help us realize that God created all things and it was good. Our job is to use His good creation to His glory, not avoid it. In our new life in Christ, we should have a new understanding, one that conforms to Christ and His teachings. We may use the things of this earth, even smoke, drink, and chew, as long as we do so to God's glory, keeping in mind His other commands such as self-control and respect for others. Seeking those things that are above will help us understand this and elude the trap of legalism.
Error number two is self-indulgence. Paul speaks of this in the verses that follow in chapter 3. This is the attitude of one who thinks that because he is spiritual, he can do whatever he wants with his physical body, as if our lives on earth do not matter and our bodies are unimportant. So instead of trying to physically avoid all worldly things like a legalist, a self-indulgent attitude would lead one to wallow in whatever worldly things one desires, as if purity and obedience in the physical life weren't important. Seeking that which is above will also help us avoid this extreme. If our affections and our minds are set on Christ and His heavenly things, we will not revel in sinful indulgence here on earth. Paul tells believers to "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (Col. 3:5). Paul is saying that if we are setting our minds on heavenly things, then the sinful things will not control us, and we will not fall into the trap of self-indulgence. We have died to sin, now our life is with Christ. Jesus teaches the same thing in Matthew 6:21 where he states, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." If our affections are upon fornication, uncleanness, and other lusts of the flesh, then our hearts will be forever dwelling in our sin. If our affections are on heavenly things, then our hearts will be with Christ.
All of that is well and good. If you are like me, you are probably asking, "Yes, but how do I set my mind on the things above?" After all, we are still plagued with sin. The answer is in living as a servant of King Jesus. Notice Paul reminds us in verse one that we are raised to a new life with Christ and that Christ is reigning over all things now at the right hand of the Father. Verse three then tells us that our lives are hidden with him now. We died and now have a new life in Christ, not in the flesh. Thus, the answer to how we set our minds on things above begins with acknowledging that we now live as servants of King Jesus and as citizens of the kingdom of heaven. If we do not understand that we have been born again to a new life and that we have been translated to His kingdom, we will not be able to seek those things that are above. Salvation is not just about being saved from sins, but it is also about being a citizen of the kingdom of heaven and living a life of thankfulness to our Lord, Savior, and King.
After understanding our place in God's kingdom, we must study to show ourselves approved (2 Tim. 2:15). To earn a driver's license, we read through a driver's manual to learn the rules and methods of driving. No one wants to share the road with someone who does not understand on what side of the road to drive or the significance of the colors red, yellow, and green on a traffic light. Similarly, in setting our minds on things above, we must study the manual. We need to read God's word. One cannot set his mind on things above if one has not read the words of the God above. And not just once, either. The Bible is a fount of wisdom that can never be exhausted. It will thoroughly equip us for every good work (II Tim. 3:17), including how to live in this world while being a citizen of the next. When it says every good work, it means every good work.
Another major component of setting our minds on things above is prayer. Our catechism calls prayer the chief means of thankfulness. If we have died to sin and our life is now hidden in Christ, should we not be thankful? Then we should pray. We should express our thanks in prayer. We should bring our cares and our concerns to Him in prayer. Prayer should become second nature. When we face trials or temptations, do we turn first to things of this world, or do we turn first to God? Do we look first to our savings accounts or do we first call our lawyers when difficult situations arise? Or do we turn first to God and ask for His help? Where we turn first is a good sign of where our minds are set. Thus, prayer is both an ally and an indicator in seeking the things above and Christ in heaven. Developing an attitude of prayer is vital. Prayer keeps our minds focused above and not here on earth. It keeps us thankful when blessings do come because we more readily recognize their real source, Jesus Christ. Prayer also keeps us humble. In asking God for help, whether it be in facing temptation or simply dealing with another day, we develop a proper perspective of how our strength flows from the Spirit, not from the flesh. This will keep our minds on heavenly things, specifically on our only comfort, Jesus Christ.
Lastly, we must have God's view of sin. That means we must hate sin with a perfect hatred. Our catechism (Q89, 90) speaks of hating sin and turning from it because of our heartfelt sorrow for it, and at the same time delighting to do God's will. Paul here in Colossians speaks of putting sin to death or of mortifying our sinful deeds. If we have a light view of sin, we will not think twice about dwelling on it, or thinking about it, or maybe even holding on to it in our hearts. If sin means little, then we will do little to avoid it. Rather we should be heartsick when we sin. It should drive us to ask forgiveness of others and of God. If we hate sin and we ever find ourselves dwelling on sin, we will react strongly and quickly to flee from temptation and flee to Christ. Hating sin, then, naturally leads us to Christ and thinking on heavenly things.
As we attempt to live in this sin-saturated world, we should remember that no one is perfect, and we will all fail. However, we should strive to develop a mindset that thinks on heavenly things, things that are above, or as Christ puts it "seek ye first the kingdom of God" (Matt. 6:33). As you study Scripture, you will find more things that will help develop this attitude. But one has to begin; thoughts do not change by themselves. We must seek Christ and His strength, and through that help we can make our new thoughts better reflect our new life in Christ.
