Set your Mind on Things Above
Colossians 3:1-3
By Marc Heatherington
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Col 3:1-3
What struck me about this passage is the word ‘things’. It is plural. When is the last time you meditated on ‘things above’? When I mentioned this years ago at a men’s bible study, the group rejected the word, ‘things’, and said we should focus only on Christ. They pointed out that the passage mentions Christ three times, and our primary focus should be on Christ. Also, Hebrews 12:2 tells us to look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. While their objection sounds good, we shouldn’t nullify one scripture with another. We should not ignore this passage. Both passages are true. Both passages are God’s word, and God is not careless with His word.
The word, “things” is not a bad word. It appears in Hebrews 11, which says,
“Now faith is the ]substance of things hoped for . . ”
The passage then goes on to give us examples of things hoped for:
“By faith Abraham . . waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:8-10
“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.” Hebrews 11:24-26
What are some of the things above? In context, Col 3:1 follows chapter 2, where Paul talked about things on the earth; festivals, new moons and sabbaths, saying they are a shadow of things to come; things above. Then Paul concluded chapter 2 talking about legalism; “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle”, which concern things which perish; things on the earth.
So, to set our minds on things above, what are some or the things above? We scriptures give us seven things to set our minds on in the letters to the seven churches, in Revelation. To the overcomes, Jesus promises the following items;
• Food from the tree of life.
• Deliverance from the second death.
• Hidden mana, a white stone with a new name.
• Power and authority of over the nations; the morning star.
• White garments; your name permanently in the Book of Life; and Jesus confessing your name before the Father and the angels.
• Jesus will make the overcomer a pillar in the temple of My God. Jesus will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem.
• We will sit with Jesus on His throne.
These things are worth overcoming for. Then Revelation gives us more things above to seek.
• We shall see angels, and creatures covered with eyes.
• We will receive new, spiritual bodies.
• We will wear white robes of righteousness.
• We will see the glory of God
We don’t talk about “glory” much. Romans 3:23 says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” I’ve wondered why that verse uses the word “glory” rather than “righteousness”. But God is not careless with this word. When we believe in Christ, we are promised that;
When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Col 3:4
Romans 8:18 says our sufferings won’t compare to “the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Glory is one of the heavenly rewards. Some define glory as splendor, dignity, or honor. Scripture contrasts glory with shame. Proverbs 3:35 says, “The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the legacy of fools.” 1 Corinthians 15 makes this contrast again, saying our bodies were, “sown in dishonor”, but will be, “raised in glory.” 1 Cor 15:43.
Moses experienced glory when his face shined after being in God’s presence. But Moses’ glory faded. We are promised in 1 Peter 5:4 that we “will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” It is eternal. And Daniel speaks of this future glory, saying;
Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Dan 12:3
Romans 5 has a passage we are all familiar with.
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom, also, we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2
When is the last time you rejoiced in hope of the glory of God? We don’t hear much about hoping for the glory of God. Romans 9:22 says God will, “make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory.” We were prepared for the glory to come. It is something we should be hoping for.
Col 1:27 describes the mystery of God as, “Christ in us, the hope of glory.” 2 Thess 2:14 says we were called by the gospel, “for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.“ We often hear about salvation and eternal life, but rarely do we think about the glory that awaits us.
It is something we should be hoping for.
Again, I will talk about more things above. We all struggle with the daily lusts of the flesh. Setting our minds on things above helps us in this struggle. For things our flesh desires on earth, heaven offers us something better.
• If we seek clothes that perish, God offers us eternal white robes.
• If we seek fine foods, we shall eat the fruit of the tree of life.
• If we seek riches, heaven will have streets of gold.
• If you love music, we shall hear the angels sing.
• If we struggle with PTSD, God will wipe away of all tears, pain, sorrow and fill us with exceeding joy.
• If we struggle with illness or disability, God will eliminate pain and death and give us new bodies.
• If we struggle with fear, God’s perfect love will cast out all fear.
• If we desire a better house, we shall, as David says, “dwell in the house of the Lord, forever.”
• If we seek position and authority, the scriptures say we shall rule with Christ.
• If we seek deliverance from the shame of our sin, we shall receive the crown of righteousness.
• If we are lonely, Romans 5 says the love of God has been poured out in our hearts. In heaven, we will experience and feel His full love.
Set your mind on things above. And after setting our minds on things above, we grow to look unto Jesus, who has given us all spiritual things.
