Living Transformed Lives: Setting Our Minds on Things Above Colossians 3:1-2
Introduction:
Dear brothers and sisters, as we gather today, let us turn our hearts and minds to the eternal truths found in God's Word. In Colossians 3:1-2, the Apostle Paul offers profound wisdom on how we should approach life as followers of Christ. Let us explore these verses together and discover how we can live transformed lives by setting our minds on things above.
Colossians 3:1-2 (NLT) "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 God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth."
This verse calls believers to focus their minds on heavenly things rather than earthly concerns. It reminds us that our identity is now found in Christ, and as such, our priorities should align with His kingdom. By setting our minds on heavenly realities, we cultivate a mindset of faith, hope, and eternal perspective.
Point 1: Embracing Our Identity in Christ
Paul begins by reminding believers of their new identity in Christ. Through faith, we have been raised to new life with Him. This spiritual transformation is not merely a change in behaviour but a profound shift in our core identity. As children of God, we are called to live in the reality of our heavenly citizenship. This means aligning our thoughts, desires, and ambitions with the eternal kingdom of God.
Paul's emphasis on being "raised to new life with Christ" echoes the language of baptism and speaks to the believer's union with Christ in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:4).
Romans 6:4 (NLT): "For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives."
This passage speaks of our union with Christ in His death and resurrection. Through baptism, we identify with His death, burial, and resurrection, symbolising our spiritual rebirth and new life in Him. As Christ was raised to new life, so are we, empowered to live victoriously over sin and walk in the newness of life.
This union signifies a complete transformation of our spiritual condition, marking the beginning of a new identity in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT): "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"
In Christ, we experience a radical transformation—a complete renewal of our inner being. The old, sinful nature is crucified, and we are made new creations in Him. This transformation is not superficial but penetrates to the core of our being, impacting every aspect of our lives.
"As followers of Christ, our primary allegiance is to His kingdom. Our identity is not defined by the standards of this world but by our union with Christ and our citizenship in heaven." - John Piper
Philippians 3:20-21 (NLT): "But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Saviour. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control."
As citizens of heaven, our ultimate hope is in the return of Christ and the transformation of our bodies to be like His glorious body. This future reality motivates us to live with anticipation and expectancy, knowing that our present sufferings are temporary compared to the glory that awaits us.
Ephesians 2:6 (NLT): "For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus."
Through our union with Christ, we are not only raised to new life but also seated with Him in the heavenly realms. This speaks of our spiritual position and authority as believers, empowered by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Our lives are no longer defined by earthly limitations but by our heavenly position in Christ.
Point 2: Setting Our Minds on Heavenly Realities
Having established our identity in Christ, Paul exhorts believers to set their minds on the realities of heaven. This is a deliberate choice to focus on eternal truths rather than the temporary concerns of this world. By fixing our gaze on Christ, who reigns supreme at the right hand of God, we gain perspective and find strength to navigate life's challenges with faith and hope.
The phrase "set your sights on the realities of heaven" implies a deliberate and continuous action. It involves directing our thoughts, affections, and priorities towards heavenly things, where Christ is exalted as King. This mindset enables us to live with purpose and conviction, guided by the eternal truths of God's Word.
"Our minds are the battleground where spiritual warfare is waged. By filling our thoughts with heavenly realities, we guard ourselves against the distractions and deceptions of this world." - Charles Spurgeon
Philippians 4:8 (NLT): "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."
This verse instructs believers to cultivate a mindset focused on virtuous and praiseworthy things. By dwelling on the truth of God's Word and meditating on His goodness, we guard our hearts and minds against negativity and cultivate a mindset aligned with His will.
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT): "So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."
This verse encourages us to shift our focus from the temporary troubles of this world to the eternal realities of God's kingdom. Though we may face challenges and trials in the present, our faith is anchored in the unseen realm—the promises of God that endure for eternity.
Point 3: Transformation Through Renewed Thinking
As we consistently set our minds on heavenly realities, our thinking becomes transformed by the truth of God's Word. This renewal leads to a profound change in our attitudes, values, and actions. We begin to reflect the character of Christ more fully, manifesting His love, grace, and holiness in our daily lives.
The call to "think about the things of heaven" underscores the transformative power of renewed thinking. This process of renewal involves the Holy Spirit's work in our hearts, conforming us to the image of Christ (Romans 12:2). As we immerse ourselves in Scripture and prayer, our minds are renewed, and we become increasingly conformed to God's will.
"True transformation begins in the mind. As we allow God's Word to dwell richly within us, our thoughts and desires are aligned with His truth, leading to a life of obedience and fruitfulness." - Timothy Keller
Romans 8:5-6 (NLT): "Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace."
In understanding Romans 8:5-6, we delve into the profound nature of the mind's orientation, as elucidated by the apostle Paul. Here, he contrasts the mindset of the flesh with that of the Spirit. In the former, there is a preoccupation with worldly desires, which ultimately leads to spiritual death. However, in the latter, there is a focus on the things of the Spirit, leading to life and peace. This passage underscores the importance of aligning our thoughts and desires with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, rather than succumbing to the temptations of the flesh.
Ephesians 4:22-24 (NLT): "throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy."
In Ephesians 4:22-24, Paul emphasises the transformative power of Christ in renewing our minds and hearts. He exhorts believers to put off their old selves, characterised by sinful desires and corrupt thoughts, and to be renewed in the spirit of their minds. This renewal is not merely a superficial change but involves a profound transformation of our inner being, resulting in a new self created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Here, Paul underscores the ongoing process of sanctification, whereby believers are continually being conformed to the image of Christ by the renewing work of the Holy Spirit.
Together, these passages highlight the importance of cultivating a renewed mind and heart, grounded in the truth of God's Word and empowered by the Holy Spirit. As we allow the Spirit to transform our thinking and desires, we experience the abundant life and peace that come from walking in alignment with God's will.
Conclusion:
In summary, these passages highlight the transformative power of our union with Christ, calling us to set our minds on heavenly realities, embrace our new identity in Him, and live with hopeful anticipation of His return. As we fix our gaze on the eternal truths of God's Word, we are empowered to live transformed lives that bring glory to His name.
Let us heed Paul's exhortation to set our minds on things above and live as transformed followers of Christ. May we embrace our identity in Him, fix our gaze on heavenly realities, and experience the ongoing renewal of our minds by the power of the Holy Spirit. As we do so, may our lives bear witness to the transformative truth of the gospel, bringing glory to God and drawing others into His kingdom.
Application:
Take intentional steps to prioritise spiritual disciplines such as Bible study, prayer, and meditation on God's Word.
Regularly evaluate your thought patterns and align them with the truth of Scripture, rejecting worldly ideologies and embracing God's perspective.
Seek opportunities to share the transformative truth of the gospel with others, demonstrating the power of Christ's love in your words and actions.
Call to Action:
Let us commit afresh to living transformed lives by setting our minds on things above. As we do, may we become beacons of light in a darkened world, pointing others to the eternal hope found in Jesus Christ alone.
