"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things 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." Col 3:1-2
What goes through your mind when you think about the Lord? What goes through your mind when you think about God? How do you envision heaven? What do you suppose it will be like? What decisions do you have to make in order to gain access? What things may you have to shed to get there? Is the life that you are leading consistent with what He who makes a way for us requires?
Beloved, these questions and thoughts should occupy the mind of every Christian. To be sure, these thoughts were involved when we obeyed the gospel. Unfortunately the things that are yet before us can be a tremendous distraction. As it was with Peter when he walked across the water toward Jesus, once we take our eyes off of him, we can find ourselves beginning to sink into that which can consume us. Remember, Jesus has saved us from darkness, "if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard," Col 1:23. This means that our salvation is not accomplished by a one time act of obedience, but of a continuous lifestyle of obedience.
Let us always cast our eyes and hearts heavenward that one day our existence will be there also.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Showing posts with label Col 3:1-2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Col 3:1-2. Show all posts
Friday, March 9, 2012
Monday, August 15, 2011
Focus on the Heavenly-9/15/2011
"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things 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." Col 3:1-2
It is given to us to live on this planet. God created it for us and formed us on it. He gave us all things pertaining to life and we at one time were in want for nothing. Almost immediately, however, we began to be dissatisfied with what we were given. All the provision we were given began to pale in regard to the one thing that was prohibited. This was not only the introduction of sin, but of a particular kind of sin: greed.
Beloved what is greed but a desire to have exceedingly more than is needed? The accumulation of wealth is not in and of itself a sin, but the prioritization of it over all things, including God is certainly today's form of idolatry. Abraham was an example of a wealthy man who gave a 10th of his spoils to Melchizedek (the high priest of God), as well as allowing his nephew Lot the choice of land when it became time for them to separate. The opposite of this is the famous story of the rich young ruler, who rather than giving up his possessions in an effort to gain heaven, he kept them and left heaven behind.
The message here is not whether we are wealthy or not (which I assure you is relative considered on a global scale) but how we prioritize life. God has been generous in seeing to all of our needs and many of our wants. Let us not become distracted by them and make those blessings the object of our affection. Let us instead remember that opulence beyond measure awaits us in His heavenly presence. Rather than accumulating on earth, believers must focus on storing up riches in heaven where no loss can occur. The comparison between the earthly and the heavenly defies description.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
It is given to us to live on this planet. God created it for us and formed us on it. He gave us all things pertaining to life and we at one time were in want for nothing. Almost immediately, however, we began to be dissatisfied with what we were given. All the provision we were given began to pale in regard to the one thing that was prohibited. This was not only the introduction of sin, but of a particular kind of sin: greed.
Beloved what is greed but a desire to have exceedingly more than is needed? The accumulation of wealth is not in and of itself a sin, but the prioritization of it over all things, including God is certainly today's form of idolatry. Abraham was an example of a wealthy man who gave a 10th of his spoils to Melchizedek (the high priest of God), as well as allowing his nephew Lot the choice of land when it became time for them to separate. The opposite of this is the famous story of the rich young ruler, who rather than giving up his possessions in an effort to gain heaven, he kept them and left heaven behind.
The message here is not whether we are wealthy or not (which I assure you is relative considered on a global scale) but how we prioritize life. God has been generous in seeing to all of our needs and many of our wants. Let us not become distracted by them and make those blessings the object of our affection. Let us instead remember that opulence beyond measure awaits us in His heavenly presence. Rather than accumulating on earth, believers must focus on storing up riches in heaven where no loss can occur. The comparison between the earthly and the heavenly defies description.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
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