Colossians 3:2 - Be Heavenly Minded.
Colossians 3:2 (NIV) Set your minds on
things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2 (NLT) Think about the things
of heaven, not the things of earth.
Colossians 3:2 (MSG) Don't shuffle along,
eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things
right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to
what is going on around Christ - that's where the
action is. See things from his perspective.
COMMENTARY PEARL
My church does a corporate fast every
year, when hundreds of members engage together in
a dedicated time of prayer and fasting. My
husband, Hal, and I decided to step out on faith and
commit to a month-long Daniel Fast, which involves
consuming only fruits, vegetables, grains, and water.
That's no small order for two self-proclaimed
carnivores who love fried chicken, macaroni and cheese,
and apple pie.
A week before we began the fast, I
researched vegan recipes and stocked up on brown rice,
bulgur, vegetables, and every type of bean
imaginable. I got tips from my vegan friends on how to
transition to meatless meals. I became fixated on
food.
What I wasn't focused on was praying and
reading God's Word. While I did spend time with the
Lord, I concentrated more on the earthly (food)
and not the spiritual. Near the end of the fast,
I confessed to the Lord that I felt like I had
failed. But after it was all over, I believed Jesus
was pleased with my efforts, even if I hadn't
done everything as I thought I should have.
The Bible tells us that we do not live by
bread alone but on every word that comes from the
mouth of the Lord (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4).
I've learned that while fasting is a wonderful
spiritual discipline, it does not replace spending
time with Jesus. So, for my next fast, I'll ask
Jesus to give me an urgent hunger for Him, one
that will go beyond sacrificing earthly things.
Barbranda Lumpkins Walls
Faith Step: Take stock of what occupies
your mind each day. Do meals, chores, social
media, TV, and such consume you more than time
spent with Jesus? [Mornings With Jesus 2022
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]
INTRODUCTION
Paul summons the Colossians to a new way
of thinking that results in a new lifestyle.
This new way of thinking is grounded in the
resurrection that began with Christ and Christ's supreme
power over the physical and spiritual world.
Because we have been raised with Christ,
our spiritual lives anchor us and give our
everyday lives meaning. Christ gives us hope for the
future and the power to live for him now. This
truth provides a different perspective on our
lives here on earth. By seeking what Christ
desires, we have the power to break our obsession
with pleasure and leisure activities. At the same
time, following Christ means loving and serving
others in this world just like he did.
Do you think this life has little
relevance to eternal life? That wasn't the case for
Paul. Paul outlines this new way of thinking in
these four verses. Then for the next two chapters,
he talks about many of the ways this applies to
everyday living " for all the relationships that
make up each day. [NLT SB 2008]
In his letter to the Christians in Rome,
Paul admonishes us, "Don't copy the behavior and
customs of this world, but let God transform you
into a new person by changing the way you think"
(Romans 12:2). In today's verses, he gives us an
important step in that process of transformation. Our
inherent tendency is to direct our lives on this
earth according to what we perceive with our five
senses. The fact is, if we have embraced Christ, our
attachment to this physical world is no longer the
defining element of our existence. Jesus himself is.
The present reality of his love for us
and our new life in him must become the primary
focus of our attention if we hope to escape the
clutches of darkness of this present world. No
religious activity can set us free, no matter how
transcendent it might be. The realities of heaven become
the substance of our lives only when we set our
sights on him in whom our life is hidden.
LORD, help me to see with new eyes today.
Instead of the troubles of my life in this world,
may I focus my vision on you, the author and
finisher of my faith, the lover and keeper of my
soul. Help me to trust in the realities of your
kingdom more than I trust what I can experience with
my physical body. [Praying Through The Bible By
Fuller re Col. 3:1-3]
COMMENTARY
To Be Like Christ
Jesus wants you to be happy, but you
cannot be happy in having your own way and
following the impulses of your own heart. Our
notions, our peculiarities, are wholly human and must
not be humored or indulged. Self is to be
crucified, not now and then but daily, and the
physical, mental, and spiritual must be subordinate to
the will of God. The glory of God, the
perfection of Christian character, is to be the aim,
the purpose, of our life. Christ's followers
must imitate Christ in disposition.... Like
Christ is the watchword, not like your father or
your mother, but like Jesus Christ - hid in
Christ, clothed with Christ's righteousness, imbued
with the Spirit of Christ. All the peculiarities
given us as an inheritance or acquired by
indulgence or through erroneous education must be
thoroughly overcome, decidedly resisted. Love of esteem
and pride of opinion, all must be brought to the
sacrifice.
Jesus is our helper; in Him and through
Him we must conquer. The grace of Christ is
waiting your demand upon it. He will give you grace
and strength as you need it if you ask Him.
The religion of Christ will bind and restrain
every unholy passion, will stimulate to energy, to
self-discipline, and industry, even in the matters of homely,
everyday life, leading us to learn economy, tact, and
self-denial, and to endure even privation without a
murmur. The Spirit of Christ in the heart will be
revealed in the character, will develop noble
qualities and powers. "My grace is sufficient" (2
Corinthians 12:9) says Christ. OHC 29
ILLUSTRATIONS
Awhile ago someone asked me in an
interview, Why do you talk about Heaven all the
time? He said that he noticed in my sermons or
when Im on the radio or TV that Im always
talking about Heaven.
I thought, Really? Well, good.
Thats a good thing to always talk
about. I wasnt aware I was doing it, but Im
not ashamed or embarrassed by it. Really,
whats more important than where we will spend our
eternal destiny?
Ive always studied Heaven. Ive
always been fascinated by it. I wouldnt say that
Im an expert on it, but I would say that Im
a student of it. And I became greater student
of it in 2008 when my son went to Heaven.
Colossians 3:1"2 tells us, Since you
have been raised to new life with Christ, set
your sights on the realities of heaven, where
Christ sits in the place of honor at Gods right
hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the
things of earth (nlt).
We are to set our hearts and minds on
things above. This is effectively saying,
Constantly be seeking and thinking about Heaven.
Our feet must be on earth, but our minds
and hearts can be in Heaven. Many of us have
gone an entire day without a single thought about
Heaven. That isnt a good thing. We should always
be thinking about it.
Warren Wiersbe, a great Bible
commentator, said, For the Christian, heaven isnt
simply a destination; its a motivation.
If you believe theres an afterlife and
a reward waiting for you for your
faithfulness, wont that motivate you to serve the Lord?
I hope so.
When youre thinking about Heaven and
seeking Heaven, youll be a heavenly minded person
in the best sense of the term. When youre
focused on Heaven, youll live the most fulfilling
life on earth. [By Greg Laurie from Harvest
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]
"This house is in your price range, and
it's been on the market for a while." The realtor
ushered us into a dark kitchen. Battered
avocado-colored appliances were wedged against a grimy brick
wall. A strange plastic sliding barrier outlined a
tiny eating area.
The bathroom had an ugly green sink and
tub. The whole house looked dingy and forsaken.
But when we stepped into the living room on the
back of the house, we stopped short.
Beyond the ample backyard, the water of a
public pond rippled in the breeze. Ducks swam,
willow branches bobbed, and beyond the pond a
protected wetland held native grasses, reeds, and
endless trees. My husband and I looked at each other
and knew this was our new home.
We spent years remodeling, first the main
floor and then the basement. When the work was
frustrating, we'd stop and look out the window. The
beauty energized us to keep going.
Sometimes the view is everything. Life
can be dingy, cramped, and ugly more times than
we'd like to admit. The work of our hands is
often repetitive and seems unrewarding.
Relationships can wound us like rusty nails. Loss and
grief can darken our vision like a blown fuse. But
when we set our gaze beyond, the glimpse of
Jesus's glory carries us through. No matter how ugly
our present circumstances, we can focus on where
He is guiding us - to beauty beyond
imagination. Sharon Hinck
Faith Step: Shift your gaze today. Find a
beautiful view and than thank Jesus for that reminder
of the glory ahead when He returns. [Mornings
With Jesus 2021 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
CLOSING THOUGHT
I get distracted easily. There is just so
much to think about, so many responsibilities. We
all have bills to pay, meetings to attend,
people to deal with, families to care for. No
wonder we can't keep our minds quiet during our
prayer time with God. Many times our minds get
pulled away from where they should be and focused
on what they shouldn't be, putting us at risk
of relapsing into old hurts, hang-ups, and
habits.
It happens to all of us from time to
time. It's not easy to stay focused on heavenly
things when the earthly things are making so much
more noise. The best and maybe the only way to
stay focused on the right things is to always
keep Jesus front and center. That means we
understand that he is with us throughout the day, as
close as our breath. He's always there to help us
at a moment's notice, encourage us, instruct
us, strengthen us, and protect us.
God knows who we are. He understands what
we're made of. That's why he sent his Holy Spirit
to dwell in us. He doesn't have to come from
some faraway place to hear us and help us. When
we focus on his presence within us, everything
else will fall into place.
Father, thank you for your Holy Spirit
that dwells within me, ready to help me stay
focused on those things that are most important. In
Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily
Devotional by John & Johnny Baker]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
Colossians 3:1-3 - How to Set Your Mind On
Things Above.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210313-0910.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study
Guides:
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
