Text: Colossians 3:2
Theme: Seek things from above
KJV: Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
CSB: Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.
Lightfoot: All your thoughts must abide in heaven, not on the earth.
Phillips: Give your heart to the heavenly things, not to the passing things of earth.
1. Seek the things from above:
Paul reminds the believers at Colossae to keep their minds on godly, spiritual things. the minds of Christians should be focused "above.". Rather than looking to the earth around them. God is often noted as being "above" in the New Testament (John 3:31; Ephesians 4:10) and heaven is described as "above" (James 1:17) (Bibleref.com). The word “Above” (ano) is an adverb of place means higher in place, a position above another position, and used figuratively of heaven (John 8:23, Galatians 4:26, Philippians 3:14, Colossians 3:1,2), of the direction upward (Exodus 20:4, Deuteronomy 4:39). Affection is defined as tender attachment, a propensity, a disposition, a feeling that includes an inclination or liking, a bent of the mind towards particular object. Spurgeon says to study industriously things above. The Williams translation says "Practice occupying your minds with the things above.” (Precept Austin).
“Seek” implies striving, and “Set your mind” implies concentration. “Mind” includes understanding, attitude, and will. It means to employ one’s faculty for thoughtful planning, emphasizing the underlying disposition or attitude– to have an attitude, to think in a particular manner as in the attitude that Christ Jesus had (Philippians 2:5, 2 Corinthians 4:18). This word also means to keep on giving serious consideration to something– to ponder, to let one’s mind dwell on, to keep thinking about, to fix one’s attention on as here– “Let your mind dwell on the things which are above.” “Things above” are the things that are ultimately essential, belonging to God. (Commentary by Grant Richison).
Setting one's mind on things above involves an act of one's will (active voice) and is something we must choose to do (imperative mood = command, not optional) continually (present tense = habitual). Because our mortal enemies the world, the flesh, and the devil continually try to draw us back into the dirt and sludge of this sin-filled world. (Precept Austin).
2. Sit at the feet of Jesus
Luke 10:38-42 Mary sits at the feet of Jesus. Mary of Bethany is found on three occasions simply sitting at the feet of the Lord Jesus, communing with her Saviour, listening to His Word, looking to Him, learning of Him, loving to be with Him, and pouring out her worship to Him. In so doing, her spirit was refreshed and her soul revived.
Jesus told us all that one thing is necessary - and Mary chose the better part. Unless we sit at His feet and spend quality time communing with our Lord as a priority, our life will be fruitless, our work will become tedious, and our witness will be void of power. Our work for him and our worship must be equal. Mary found deep and intimate communion with Jesus as she sat at His feet and looked to her Saviour (ref: Knowing Jesus).
By spending time in the Word of God. By spending time in prayer. By spending time with things that build us up in God instead of merely entertaining us. By gathering with others in the Lord. The heavenly inheritance, eternal glory, and happiness are the saints' portion; it is called the part, or portion of the inheritance with the saints in light. (Colossians 1:12).
Illustration: A man was passing along the street, and saw a blind boy seated on his father’s knee, holding in his hand a kite string, the kite flying away in the air. The man said, “Does it satisfy you to fly that kite when you cannot see it?” “O yes” he replied, “I cannot see it, but I can feel it pull.”
And so out of this dark world, and amid this blindness of sin, we feel something drawing us heavenwards; and though we cannot see the thrones, and the joy, and the coronation, blessed be God, we can feel them pull (Colossians 3 Biblical Illustrator) when we sit at the feet of Jesus.
3. Seek the welfare of others
Psalm 112:5 ‘Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely…’ Surely, he will be never be shaken (Psalm 112:6). His heart is steadfast and secure and, in the end, he owns the victory (Psalm 112:7-8).
Poor are the owners of Poverty: The word poverty comes from the French word “poverté” which means poor. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Poverty is the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions” (Cite:Britannic.com). According to the World Bank, “Poverty is a state in which a person lacks the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living”. The world Bank in 2015 has defined extreme poverty as people living on $ 1.90 or less a day (cite: worldbank.org). People have economic poverty as well as spiritual poverty (Mathew 5:3)
“How extensive is your universe of responsibility?” The rabbis solved this by saying that it is permissible to prioritize the needs of those closest to you, by being part of your family, your tribe, your religious community, or your geographical area.
But the Talmud also says: “You are required to support the poor of the non-Jews just as you must support the poor of the Jews.”
Prioritization of those closest to you does not exempt you from extending your aid to others in need even if they are not part of your immediate circle of associations.” (Rabbi Sid’s address to World Bank in 2014, cite: rabbisid.org).
While we think of helping others, we shouldn’t have an attitude of bossing over them but serve with lament, compassion, love, and generosity. Then we would be blessed and would be pleased.
Psalm 112:9 says, ‘They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever.’ Giving to the poor is righteousness. Giving to needy is considered an act of Righteousness (Mathew 6:1-4).
I am not sure how many of you have shared the assurance of eternal life with your servant maids, gardeners, and drivers. You make them partners in the Kingdom of God. Lead them to a dignified life in Christ.
