When God makes all things new, the canyons and mountains, the galaxies and grasslands of this fallen world will groan no more (Romans 8:21). It's a little doctrine called "Identification with Christ," and you all know all too well that this is my favorite doctrine in all of Paul's writings, second only to the gospel. We should also pray for others who are in the Lord's work and it is Paul's desire here that the Lord should open a door for him. 6:9, 18; 2 Cor. Waiting for a friend, you play a game on your phone. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Some people get discouraged because they think about things in a negative way. There is no spot or wrinkle on Him. Or heaven? Then of course we should also speak in the Lord's work, and our speech should be characterised by two things. Of ourselves we cannot do this, but we can when we realise how much God has forgiven us in Christ. I began my college years 55 years ago this fall in 1964. 2. He has an eternal, uncreated image of himself his Son (1:15) in whom is the fullness of deity (1:19; 2:9). Christian practice proceeds from this Christian position. . 9-14, to put on the new Christian virtues, especially gentleness, forgivingness, love; . If you belong to Christ, then in the truest sense, you do not live here on earth, but there in heaven: You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). Psalm 89:14-15 says, Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. (See Colossians 2:12.) We may note that this phrase, implying a sudden passing from death unto life, accords more exactly with the idea of adult baptism, accepted in conscious faith, and leading at once to a new life; while the later phrase, "regeneration" (Titus 3:5), which speaks of the soul as passing, indeed, at once into a new condition, but as having only the undeveloped germ of the new life, corresponds more closely with the idea of the infant baptism, which gradually superseded the other. And then I think: What should happen to you in these years at Bethlehem College & Seminary? There we read something wonderful, namely, that the Lord will give a recompense. Live Ultimate Texas Hold'em!! It is hidden from the world indeed, hidden from you with Christ in God. 5 likes, 0 comments - PrinceDike (@princedike__) on Instagram on January 12, 2020: "RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL (DOWNLOAD THE NEW RHAPSODY APP => http . Psalm 17:14,15 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. Ideas about what is real what reality is. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. What does that mean? It is like it (and like other passages of the Epistles of the Captivity) because it passes on from Christ risen to Christ in heaven: it takes for granted our being risen with Christ, and bids us in heart to ascend to heaven now, and look forward to the bliss of heaven in the hereafter. Shall appear - In the clouds of heaven. In every relationship, in every word, in every deed, they seek to show the glory of Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:174:1). If typical Bible reading focuses on paragraphs and chapters, meditation focuses on sentences and words; if in Bible reading we walk down the hallway of a passage, in meditation we open doors and explore rooms. This verse is the transition after the servants are addressed but before the masters are addressed. 10. Therefore he requests this prayer that the Lord might open one door for him, so that he might announce the mystery of Christ which comprises the whole Christian truth. There are people who only want to know about doctrine and who do not place any emphasis on the practical walk; this is like a man who has only bones but no flesh, he is a skeleton. The pursuit of heavenly mindedness can go wrong, of course. If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. So first we will focus on the astounding realities that God reveals here I see at least five of them and then briefly on the mindset that conforms to these realities, and finally on the pathway on which we pursue that mindset. She is the author of NonProphet Woke: The Reformation of a Modern-Day Disciple. Hush, if you can, the hopes and desires that rushed upon you the moment you awoke. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. This is the eternal, loved Son referred to in Colossians 1:13. Reality might tell a different story. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. Answer Colossians 3:2 says, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things," or, as the NET puts it, "Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth." To set one's mind on something is to choose to think about it, influencing one's goals and guiding one's course of action. For less than $5/mo. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. Firstly, he says, in verse 3, 'You are already heavenly people'. Colossians and Philemon, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament by G.K. Beale. Those waiting gossiped in the sunshine about the company and their experience using ChatGPT, while a handful of protesters delivered a stark warning in front of the entrance doors: OpenAI and . If we take the Lords Prayer as our model, then heaven will fill some of our first thoughts every morning. The popular criticism Dont be so heavenly minded that youre no earthly good has teeth because some have, indeed, used heavenly mindedness as an excuse for earthly aloofness. What can we do together in these years so that you see reality for what it is what it really is? If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 2nd Person Plural. They believe in the idea of God. Thats the idea here. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. You must be born again, says Jesus, to receive his saving grace, but how does regeneration relate to predestination, justification, and the rest of salvation? (1-4) As the partaking of the death of Christ taught the negative lesson of death to the Law, so the partaking of His resurrection teaches the positive lesson of the spiritual life. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. Believing bosses should be just with their employees and they should give them fair wages, they should give that which is just for the body, the soul and the spirit of the employee. A needle through tight coverage to Samori . I know that this is different in our environment today, but in Christian families this principle should still apply. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. The first and foremost thing in the Lord's work is prayer. In many ways, modern advancements stole the show in the COVID-19 pandemic. If we too claimed more spare moments for the things that are above, we might be surprised at the unusual strength, peace, and joy that would be ours. Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Seek. This picture shows us the meaning of mortifying the members, the cutting off of the wild sprouts which stem from the sin that dwells within us. Finally Paul tells us, not what we should respond to every one, but how we should do it. He reassured them that after prayer and thanking God, His peace would sustain them and guard their hearts and minds in Christ. He, like the prodigal son, finally came home after his journey into the far country. 4:19; 5:3, 5, NKJV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version, NKJV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NKJV, Deluxe Gift Bible, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version, NKJV Study Bible, Full-Color, Comfort Print: The Complete Resource for Studying Gods Word, NKJV, Chronological Study Bible: Holy Bible, New King James Version, NKJV, Abide Bible, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Infinitely, gloriously secure. Therefore, then. 4 When Christ who isour life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. There is none like our God. He is praiseworthy. We can meditate on His Word daily and delight in the truth provided by God in His Word. When the Christ is manifested who is our life, then shall ye also be manifested with him in glory." He is heavens beating heart. I think, what an amazing thing that most of you students have fifty-plus years in front of you on this earth. If we are hidden with Christ there and will be revealed then, we cannot help but look more like Christ here and now. Its not strange. God is holy and pure. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. We should expect no better. And we can show you how to see all these things for yourself, so that fifty years from now, you will still be discovering more and more from Gods revelation, and perhaps standing before some group of young people with joyful and thankful memories of your college and seminary years. This is the very essence of Christian effort. Because set your minds on things that are above means, at its core, set your minds on him., Scott Hubbard is an editor for Desiring God, a pastor at. Of that good man let this high praise be given, He is right now reigning over the world. The, the definite article. What does it mean to let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts (Colossians 3:15)? He is not partially above this created order. Your most terrible experience of death is behind you. You can set your mind on something and disagree with it. In verse 5 Paul then shows what these sprouts are and he provides arguments as to why we should put them to death. Knowing his thoughts would not drift toward heaven in the afternoon or evening unless he fixed his mind there first thing, he began his day in heaven. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Our minds, like a muscle, grow stronger through exercise. He is here. She is passionate about sharing the truth and pointing others back to Jesus Christ through the written Word as the standard of authority for Christian living and instruction while being led by the Holy Spirit into maturity. We should ponder this if we want to be involved in the Lord's work. You seek it or you dont have it. Dawn Hillis a Christian blogger known as The Lovesick Scribe and the host of The Lovesick Scribe Podcast. I would like to repeat this for children here, "Children, obey your parents". Ideas about what kinds of behaviors should flow from this mindset. The meditative Bible reader may, for example, read all of Colossians 3 in four or five minutes, but then come back to spend as much time (or more) pondering the wonder of what it means to be hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). Jesus said that those who are His disciples abide in His word and that they will know the truth, and the truth will set them free (John 8:32). 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural. But we praise Him through trials and triumphs. Romans and Ephesians are good examples of this pattern. Colossians 3:3: You have died. Colossians 3:1: You have been raised. You are not seeking this death. But there are also Christians who only want practical matters and put no emphasis on doctrine; this is like a man who has only flesh but no bones, can you imaging that? The true you your true life that will be so much more glorious than your present life that you will say, This life in this world was scarcely life at all compared to my life that was hidden for me in God this glorious life is hidden for now. You will wake up to find your lungs filled with the air of a better country (Hebrews 11:16). Be encouraged that when you do, His peace will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Our French speaking brethren have a nice phrase, 'the tone makes the music'. . God is all of these things. "I think the makeup is one thing and obviously the physicality, the stuff," Roberts said. Christ is here now. This is the matter of "putting to death our members". And Paul is saying in verse 4, It will not always be so. The hiddenness will come to an end. The second point is in verse 5, the walk. He will appear. Christ appearing at last in power and glory. You have died. Let the word of the Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another, in psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God. This is true in the Lord's work as well. March 1, 2021 Set Your Mind on Things Above How to Live Heavenly Minded Article by Scott Hubbard Editor, desiringGod.org Set aside, for a moment, the day's pressing tasks. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Human society will share in the very harmony of the Trinity (John 17:2224). It is all religious make-believe. Dont be passive, especially in these golden years of college and seminary. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. All the hiddenness of his presence and his power will be over. As an independent voter, she said a candidate such as Scott is a needed breeze of fresh air to the 2024 contest. The fourth circle where these two principles, "seek the things above" and "put to death your members which are upon the earth", apply is in the circle of the Lord's work and all believers have the privilege of doing this work. In Colossians 3:1-4 the apostle Paul instructs the believers "to seek the things that are above where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God; to set their minds on things above, not on earthly things." But what exactly does it mean to set your mind on things above and why? With unprecedented . I mention this because, looking at all of you when we gather for chapel, I feel some of the wonder of those days. Contrast "who mind earthly things" (Php 3:19). Ephesians begins in its teaching where Romans stops. What Does it Mean Be Anxious for Nothing? 1. How might today be different if we brought the hope of heaven into the stuff of earth if thoughts of things above adorned our waking hours? Yet such a mindset does not nullify the life we have on earth, but rather transforms it according to the culture and norms of heaven. looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus. But he is above all the stars and all the space. Our hope is that ere long we shall be ever with him; and if so, it is certainly our wisdom and duty to be here with him as much as we can (Works of John Owen, 7:344). We have such great things to think upon when we meditate on Him and what He has done for us. This is a divine principle, still valid, and on this principle a great blessing of God has been placed. 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 mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. You, and only you, are in charge of your thoughts. This is the meaning of "setting your mind on", that we have learnt to think Christ's thoughts habitually in relation to the practical Christian walk. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 2:12,13,20 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead, Romans 6:4,5,9-11 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life, Galatians 2:19,20 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. Electric trucks will force automakers to change the way they one-up each other in the cutthroat pickup market. 5 Mortify ther. You cant lift your finger apart from Jesus Christ. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. There is a brother in our local meeting who often says in his prayers, 'We are conscious tonight that we have brought with us our indwelling sin'. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. From sun and egeiro; to rouse in company with, i.e. We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! But how often are they the reflex of a mind addicted to distraction? Where. Thats the basis of your seeking not the object of your seeking. Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Colossians 3:2 KJV. to put off the old self, and put on Christ; Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Letters: Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised together (Coloss. For about a year now in times of prayer and petitioning God, I have been camped out at Philippians 4:6-7, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. I believe that what Paul has before him here, where he says "seek the things which are above", is not the matter of looking on to the glorified Christ, which is the great objective for Paul in 2 Corinthians 3, but rather he means to search out the thoughts of our Lord Jesus Christ in view of the practical walk down here, which thoughts are diametrically opposed to those which are on earth, the philosophies that are developed here by unbelievers. Each and every day, we get to choose what we will think about and we get to choose how we will think about certain things. Step away from the morning's burdens. DRA Therefore, if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above; where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God: ERV You were raised from death with Christ. The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted in August 2022 on a proposal to raise the standardized state test scores needed for students to graduate high school. Getting a hold of this reality and being held by it is utterly crucial for survival as a Christian and your thriving in ministry to others. So let me say again, the pathway to the mindset that is shaped by the realities that are above is relentless, passionate seeking. When I tell the people in my little village this they laugh at me, they say, 'We do not see a difference, you also age and get sick like us', but they will still see that I am a heavenly person when I shall appear with the Lord Jesus in glory. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. Scripture shows us here the two divine principles for marriage, firstly the wives should take the place of subjection to their husbands, and the husbands should love their wives. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Forget what the hours ahead may hold. Colossians 3:14 pulls back the curtain on realities that are unbelievable except by the miracle of Gods Spirit realities that you cannot know from any other source than the Bible realities that are so astounding that if you see them for what they really are, you will be radically, pervasively different from people who have not seen and do not believe in this reality. Matthew 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. They killed him. Ideas about how to get this mindset or this disposition. We would do well, then, to listen again to the clearest charter of heavenly mindedness in Scripture: If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. We should sing together not only in the Christian circle but also in the circle of the Christian family. . Hush, if you can, the hopes and desires that rushed upon you the moment you awoke. 12:21; Gal. 6(K)Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon (L)the sons of disobedience, 7(M)in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. If so, start small, and dont lose heart. In, on, among. And what follows is a beautiful passage to ever point us in the right direction. That is emphatically not what Paul means by the command phroneite. gain access to 50+ premium resources to enhance your study of Scripture. She is a wife to Nicholas and a mother to Anabel and Ephraim. Meditate on them. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with . Without the objective, external, self-existent reality of God, nothing in these verses is real. And it points us to the pathway into that mindset, and then launches us onto the path of obedience that flows from it in Colossians 3:54:6. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. We have been forgiven such a great debt in Christ, and yet we are sometimes unable to forgive our brother or sister. Thousands of theists dont believe in God. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Once we were people for whom these wild branches would have been normal but it is not normal any more. Through faith in the powerful working of God we died and rose with Christ. Suddenly the boy shouted, 'Father, shall I also look upwards?' What is true? The philosophies in this world about the practical walk of men are always based on the sin which dwells in us and then there is the danger that this indwelling sin produces branches. And the God of peace will be with you(Philippians 4:8-9). "Persevere in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us also, that God may open to us a door of the word to speak the mystery of Christ, on account of which also I am bound, to the end that I may make it manifest as I ought to speak. Bring your petitions to God with thanksgiving. Paul is saying, Be shaped in your way of thinking, your emotional life, your pattern of attitudes and responses, your preferences in people and entertainment and clothes and jobs and leisure in this total set of your mind and heart, be formed by the realities that are above the realities of God, and Christ seated at the right hand of God, and your true life hidden with Christ in God, and your death behind you, and the spectacular public appearance of Christ, and your appearing with him in glory.. As believers in Christ, we long to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord as David penned in Psalm 27:4. Col 3:1-4. The father turned around and said, 'Let us leave it'. None of these activities is necessarily bad. 1. Thousands and thousands of ideas, like incessant waves of the sea, will roll under the boat of your mind some small, barely noticed and some huge, almost capsizing your life. To be sure, faith has its kind of seeing (2 Corinthians 4:4), but it does not yet replace hiddenness. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. Now, Christian, remember: You are going to heaven. Colossians 3:1b: Seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God., Colossians 3:3: You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.. I do not speak about this seventh point in a light-hearted way, when believers live and walk together there are sometimes difficulties, we may be deeply hurt in our heart by something a brother or a sister does and we say, 'I cannot forgive this'. It means that our minds are most full of heaven when they are most full of Christ. If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. He is the Person who has led us together, to one another, "He is our peace". This is what our speech should be like, always in grace but also with some spiritual power which works against corruption and which gives a divine seasoning to our whole speech. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. They have hummed Ill Fly Away while floating comfortably through this world, not remembering that the most heavenly minded man of all labored, sweated, healed, touched, and bled for this world of need. Servants are exhorted to work and masters are called upon to reward their servants according to their worth. Firstly, he wants to bring about the consciousness of this sin in us as a preventive measure. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. They are to be found nowhere on earth, but only at the throne of God. Taste them. . Who is honorable or noble? (NASB) Colossians 3:1-2 The Context King James Version (KJV). 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in gl. We seek and crave and pursue the realities that are above because we are above. He was focusing on the importance of ultimately keeping the focus on Christ. This is one of the greatest realities in the universe: that you (and every true believer in Christ) have passed from death to life (1 John 3:14). Were on a mission to change that. Here and now will fade, at least for a few moments, before the brilliance of there and then. 8(N)But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Lying in bed, you scroll through social media. Hebrews 1:3: After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Christ is above, seated at the right hand of God. your true life hidden with Christ in God, your death behind you. What does it mean that we are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). ), Colossians 3:3b: Your life is hidden with Christ in God. (As secure as the union of the Father and the Son. Fifty years! Dig into them. This is the character of the new man, he has Christ as his aim and objective. Nor is your life in Christ on full display now, but only then: When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:4). Forget what the hours ahead may hold. 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. And yet there is a mystery here. The second principle is in verse 5. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. What Is the Role of Conformity in Our Everyday Lives? The world is the creation of God, and it is not imaginary. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Your service in the Lord's work begins on your knees. This is the pathway to the mindset shaped by the things above. Your sorrows and sighs will be out of sight (Isaiah 51:11). Colossians 3:1-4 ESV / 41 helpful votesHelpfulNot Helpful. Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular. As believers, we can say this back to the Lord, Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name (Psalm 86:11, ESV). Apr 30, 2020 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Very soon, even any moment, you will be hastened away from all youve known here to take an eternal holiday. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. And by his Son he holds all things in existence (1:17). Thats behind you. And all those who thought, All that matters is our ideas of God, all that matters is the power of myth and the pleasures of imagination all those will cry out for the mountains and the rocks to fall on them to hide them to make them hidden from the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13). . Donald Trump cant stick one hair in place apart from Jesus Christ. Answer: Paul's epistles begin with an exposition of doctrine, some revelation of truth, and then show the practical implications of that doctrine. 1 Chronicles 29:3 Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house. And your real, spiritual life is hid from the world, and laid up in God, with Christ - Who hath merited, promised, prepared it for us, and gives us the earnest and foretaste of it in our hearts.3:4 When Christ - The abruptness of the sentence surrounds us with sudden light. Colossians 3:3b: Your life is hidden. The glory is hidden. Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.. No matter how horrible the suffering and death that awaits you, it is as nothing compared to what lies behind you. And after you have done this, think upon these things in Philippians 4:8, which so beautifully point us back to Him. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. To be sure, Jesus said that we should let out lights shine now so that others can see our good deeds and give glory to our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). 3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. To raise along with. September 10, 1892 "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Sometimes we listen to news from the Lord's work where someone writes that there are many open doors, but Paul does not ask for many doors, he only asks for one because you cannot pass through many doors at one time. And we will focus on the reality, the mindset, and the path into the mindset in the hope that you will see the reality for what it is, and be shaped with a mindset that conforms to this reality, and know the path that leads onto this mindset for your next fifty years. This is exactly the word (and the word form, phroneite) he uses in Philippians 2:5 translated, Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. Have this mindset, this attitude, this disposition, this temperament, this way of thinking and feeling and responding that Christ had. Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Finally, Paul points us to the pathway that leads to that mindset. Just throw 100 and it'll be there. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. Our future in Him? .. It happened on Good Friday. And your most glorious experience of life awaits you. Colossians 3:1: If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above.. View more Colossians 3:2 meaning, interpretation, and commentary "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." 9Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10and have put on the new man who (O)is renewed in knowledge (P)according to the image of Him who (Q)created him. Beau Is Afraid began life as a short film that Aster made in 2011, in which the late Billy Mayo played a man attempting to exit his apartment who leaves the keys in the front door, only for them . In order to explain this I have to state that the philosophies of this world have an ally in the believer, this is the sin which still dwells in us. Even if we still live on the earth we are already characterised by what is heavenly because "our life is hid with the Christ in God"; this is why we think in His thoughts. Thousands of pastors (call them liberal, progressive, modernist, post-modernist, whatever) do not believe that your idea of God needs to correspond to any objective reality outside of you. [Rom. And the things that are on the earth are any ideas or behaviors or institutions in this world not rooted in and shaped by these realities. How then can we grow in heavenly mindedness? Paul demonstrates this in this epistle in a very systematic way. 1If 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. There is blessing in waiting on Him and trusting in Him. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. What is the meaning of vain deceit in Colossians 2:8? Tim Levin/Insider . Psalm 96:4 says, For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. Psalm 145:3 says, Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.. And by Gods grace, what feels impossible now may feel almost natural six months from now. Peter describes the power of this place at the right hand like this: [He] is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him (1 Peter 3:22). There is no blemish, and because of Christs finished work on the cross, we can think on His holiness and rejoice. A young brother told me, "I earn five thousand pounds a month" and I said, "It is hard for me to believe you earn so much". Again, these two general principles are valid for the believer, "seek the things above" and "put to death your members which are upon the earth". Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe. *This post contains affiliate links. Hidden.). Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. God gave marriage before sin occurred but it has been affected by sin. What I love about this passage is that after we have prayed and thanked God, we glean from the instruction that Paul gave to the saints at the church of Philippi, we rest in the fact that as His own, His peace guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus in such a way that it is beyond our finite comprehension. This is a condition of seeking the things above. Your resurrection is hidden. Seven "Anothers" Regarding The Lord Jesus. Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. I would propose that we can see God in every one of these, and when we think upon the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we focus on the One who is worthy of praise and who gives us joy unspeakable. Colossians falls into two parts, the first two chapters tell us the doctrine and the last two chapters tell us of the practical matters, and both are important for the believer. Both doctrine and practical matters are important, but the doctrine comes first, then the practical walk comes out of the doctrine. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. Secondly our speech is to be seasoned with salt. I will now try to explain these two great facts. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:4). We have the beautiful promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. And heavenly mindedness aligns us with that fact, teaching us to define our identity not by the person we see in the mirror but by the Savior we see in Scripture. It takes the Lord's help to stay steady. 2:20]; Col. 2:20, Mark 7:21; 1 Cor. Two great glories, past and future, bracket and hold up all the pain and frustrations and ambiguities and uncertainties of this life. Not merely to live then and there, but to live now in light of then, here in light of there. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.. Three positional things are said in Colossians 3:1 about this eternal Son of God and Christ (Messiah) who entered history, died, and rose: (1) He is above: Seek the things that are above, where Christ is. (2) He is at the right hand of God. Researchers are one step closer to understanding why some babies are at greater risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS - the . And what if we resolved to spend at least some of the days silences recalling what we read that morning, rehearsing a memorized passage, or praying to our Father in heaven? And we might strive to have it said of us, as it was said of a saint of old. So, yes, let us seek to reflect the glory of God now. For he that does a wrong shall receive the wrong he has done, and there is no respect of persons. Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken is reaping the benefits of staying in Canada after rivals such as Binance and OKX said they plan to withdraw. This is not a matter of the peace of our conscience, and I do not think it is a matter of the peace of our heart, but the point is that we are all met in Christ's presence. Paul uses two words for this here. From dechomai; the right side or hand. This is the real me. No. What are "things above"? Paul's Epistle to the Romans shows us how God solved the problem of sin for the believer on the basis of the Lord's work on Calvary, whereas the Epistle to the Ephesians shows us that which God has given us as a completely new thing on the basis of Calvary through the resurrection of Christ. We say, 'all believers have a task in the Lord's work', and, 'This brother is in the Lord's work'; both expressions are scriptural. What does this mean for our heavenly mindedness? These are the exhortations which reflect the thoughts of the Lord Jesus Christ in the circle of the workplace. (1) If ye then be risen (rather, ye rose) with Christ.--In these words is marked the beginning of the spiritual life, referred evidently to baptism. A toe-tapping touchdown to Christian Watson in the back of the end zone. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Treasure them. When we think upon not only what but Who is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise, we have thought upon things that are of excellence, and our glorious God, our merciful Savior is worth thinking upon continuously. But then you regularly fill every spare moment with something else. But in the Christian circle there are weak believers and when there are such we want to forebear one with another, this is the sixth point; but when believers live together there are also sins that occur and naturally we cannot bear or tolerate them but being believers we want to forgive them; this is the seventh point, forgiving one another. Holman Christian Standard Bible Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. These seven flowers of the new man bound together by the cord of divine love are not natural characteristics of man. The third reality Paul unveils is that, as a believer in Christ, your death is behind you. Suddenly, however, he makes the experience that he does not only understand English but he thinks in English. Colossians 2:12,13,20 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me put it into practice. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. The fourth reality Paul unveils in Colossians 3:14 is that Christ is going to appear. Savor them. And when we walk into our day, we may take something of heaven with us. I am sure that the brethren in England know a lot about the issue of grafting trees. Developing A Heavenly Mindset (Colossians 3:1-4) Related Media "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Romans 6:3-4: " Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? It is a "resurrection with Christ" and in Christ; as such it is dwelt upon in detail in Romans 6:1-14. We have the assurance that we can come before God and make our requests known. Colossians 3:4: When Christ who is your life appears . In the Greek, this phrase phrone means "they were to have understanding, to think" or to judge, direct the mind to, seek for, observe, care for. That is not the real you. 5:19; Eph. We can then practice these two principles in four areas. Baptism signifies by immersion in water and the coming up out of the water that we died and were buried and rose with Christ. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Your death with Christ is hidden. The only seeking of life hidden with Christ in God is the seeking by those whose life is hidden with Christ in God. Aramaic Bible in Plain English Feed on that which is above and not that which is in The Earth, Contemporary English Version Think about what is up there, not about what is here on earth. He is above. Seek them. Who is the image of God? Now he is alive, because God raised him from the dead (2:12). and your appearing with him, shining like the sun. I began my seminary years 51 years ago in 1968. The apostle Paul wants to demonstrate that Christ's thoughts are important because they are the thoughts of the One who sits at God's right hand. Such a tree consists of two things, firstly there is the wild trunk and the branches and then the refined branch is grafted into that trunk, and it is the task of the gardener to cut down the branches that originate in the wild trunk, otherwise the grafted branch will not prosper. The third circle is that of our work. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. Heaven is and always will be a world of glory (Colossians 3:4). I will live to the end of this message or not by the will of Christ. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! Brexit will happen or not according to Christ. 5:14; Gal. This is an important exhortation to fathers, we can provoke our children through carnal behaviour, when we want to demonstrate that we are the lord of the house, or we can provoke our children by exaggerating what we require of them, and we can also provoke them if we do not give them increasing liberty when they grow up and need to live a life of their own. Colossians tells us that the "things above" are all the wondrous attributes and accomplishments of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. your will be done, In a society of accusations and recriminations, they speak the otherworldly language of forgiveness (Colossians 3:13). (3:22-4:1). To sit, be seated, enthroned; I dwell, reside. Col Co). Those are the realities Paul reveals in Colossians 3:14. What does it mean to set your mind on things above (Colossians 3:2)? Perhaps we think the most important thing we can do in the Lord's work is to speak, but I will now show you the three things that are important in the Lord's work, and I lay special emphasis on the order. So the two great truths of Christian practice are firstly to "seek the things which are above", and secondly to "Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth". Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. Think on these things. Behind us is the glory that our death is past. The reason I said that these realities are true of you, if you are a believer in Christ, is because of a little phrase in Colossians 2:12: [You have] been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. GREEN BAY - Jordan Love was in his groove as Tuesday's practice closed, reading the defense and delivering, slinging his passes the way his head coach pleaded him to do not long ago. If there is anything of excellence and worthy of praise, we are to think on these things. This passage has been a personal blessing and source of encouragement in difficult times and in understanding biblical prayer. Hold onto them. Fathers, do not vex your children, to the end that they be not disheartened" (3:18-21). Start for FREE. Step away from the mornings burdens. He wrote that we should be "transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2 KJV). And significantly, before that prayer leads us to ask for daily bread, it sets our minds on things above: Our Father in heaven, You are raised. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. But what does it mean to think about things above? Here this spiritual resurrection is taken for granted, and the Apostle goes on at once to the next stage of the spiritual life. Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! Psalm 110:1 A Psalm of David. Philippians 4:8 instructs believers to think on those things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and worthy of praise. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. There are some people who are particularly meek, there are people who are practically kind but this is not what Paul means here, what he has in mind is things that have been brought about in our lives by the Holy Spirit. The God of Colossians 3 is the same God as in chapter 1. How glorious is our God and the faith He gives us to trust in Him! Translate, "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things," &c. (Col 2:20). Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above. ), Colossians 3:1a: You have been raised with Christ. (The resurrection you await is as sure as the one you have already experienced. You can follow her on Facebook and Instagram. Adverb from anti; upward or on the top. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. It is comforting to know that we can have the peace of God in the midst of lifes storms and trials, and it comes in times of prayer and trusting in God along the way, regardless of the outcome. Jesus Christ is all of these things and so much more in attributes that testify of the Lord God Almighty and His wonderful ways. (3:1-4). For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. So begin your day with Jesus, fix your meditations upon Jesus, and retreat throughout the day to Jesus. 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. He wants to make it plain to us that these wild branches are abhorrent in the eyes of God. What does it mean to bear with one another (Colossians 3:13)? They speak and sing with the harmony of gratitude and grace (Colossians 3:1517; 4:6). When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. I would like to direct your thoughts to Ephesians 2 where we find this important phrase, "He is our peace" (v.14). But we can think on these things in Philippians 4:8, which so beautifully point us in right! Would like to repeat this for children here, `` children, obey your parents in all things for! Right direction heaven with us to put on the things that are above because we are sometimes unable to our... But then you regularly fill every spare moment with something else it takes the Lord 's work begins your. 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