Study – Grow – Know

Fixing Our Minds on the Things That Are Above, Not on the Earth

September 12, 2013 at 8:12 AM 2 comments

Is eternity on your mind?

Before we get into our next post on the Tribulation, I wanted to point out something that I believe is not only very important, but mandatory because we are commanded in several portions of Scripture to do it.

In Colossians 3:2, Paul says that we should “set (or fix) our minds on the things above.”Let me quote the entire section, Colossians 3:1-4:

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Because we have been raised with Christ, we are to cling to Him and continue seeking those things which are above. We are to “grow up” in Him. In order to do these things, we must – as John says in 1 John 3 – fix our minds on the fact that He is one day returning. This one fact will cause us to throw off those things that are worthless and focus on and do the things that are worthwhile (in God’s eyes).

I’m reminded of the clinging vine that clings to the trunk of the great oak. As it does so, over the years, it takes up more surface area of that oak tree. That is what we should do with Christ. Cling to Him. Grow into Him. Allow Him to take over our character and personalities so that His will is accomplished both in and through us. There is much in Scripture that reminds us how short this life is, yet we act as if it will last forever. Not this life. The next one, yes, but not this one.

It is not as if we cannot enjoy or appreciate the things in this life because many of the things are given to us directly from God’s hand. However, we cannot (dare not!) worship these things. Anything we receive in this life – good or bad – should automatically direct our thoughts heavenward in thanksgiving. If we will live our life with that frame of mind, we will grow up in Christ, which of course, is a process, just like growing up physically is a process.

Years ago, as a young boy, my father had given me instructions about what to do for that day and he wanted it done before he got home. I was to pull the weeds out of the garden near the garage at the front of the house. There weren’t that many weeds, as I recall, but still, they looked bad. My father wanted me to clean them out. No problem.

I went about my day doing my normal routine. Playing with my friends, hanging out, riding my bike, etc. Every once in a while, the thought that resided safely at the back of my mind – pulling weeds – would come to the front. I would think about it for a moment, then push it back to the back of my mind. I did so because I had plenty of time. The day was early! No need to worry.

As the day went on, this was what I did, until finally, it was getting dark and it was about 15 or 20 minutes before my father would be home. Panic set in because I had not done the one job he had asked and expected me to do. I begged one of my friends to help me and he did so reluctantly.

No sooner had we got started when my father pulled up. He walked past and into the house. I knew what was coming. Later on, my father asked me what I had done that day. I told him. He responded with, “So, you had plenty of time to weed the garden?” I answered honestly with “yes.” He looked at me and then said, “okay,” and that was enough to make me realize that it could have been a lot worse. He had made his point.

What was the problem? It was me. My thinking. My focus or my lack of focus on what was truly important. My dad had asked me to do one thing and I kept putting it off. Had I focused on his request, I would have done that first, then enjoyed the rest of my day without fear of any negative reprisals. Instead, I placed myself and my own “wants” first and the job my dad asked me to do took a back seat and suffered because of it.

I firmly believe that as Christians, we are to focus on Him and those things that are “above.” Why? So we can have our heads in the clouds to the point that we are no earthly good? That’s not what Scripture teaches, though apparently some believe that to be the case.

If we have a correct view of life, including the fact that one day, Jesus will return, that correct view will guide us into doing the things that really matter for eternity. If we fail to do this, we will find ourselves forever being caught up with the things that do not matter. Our god will be SELF and Jesus will be relegated to the back seat or trunk.

We need to focus on Him, His Word, and His return. If you’d prefer not to focus on His return, then substitute that reality for the reality of your death. That might make it more real for many anyway. We do not know when we will die. Could be today. Could be tomorrow. Do you know? I cannot imagine that you do. There is more likelihood that you will die long before the Rapture or Tribulation occurs or He physically returns.

What military person overseas does not think about coming home? They spend their days working, following orders, but they also consider the day when their tour of duty will be over, when they will again be reunited with loved ones. The military person who simply sits around daydreaming of going home and not fulfilling responsibilities is worthless to the military and to themselves. There is nothing wrong with working, while focusing on the things that are of the utmost importance. That is what Scripture tells us to do. Accordingly, there is nothing more important than focusing on those things that are above.

We need to focus our lives so that we live for Him. The only way we can do that is to follow the pattern found in Scripture. Put your minds on things that are above, not on the earth. This life and this earth will pass away. The only things that will remain are those things above. If that is our final destination, shouldn’t we spend more time thinking about that than life here on earth?

Entry filed under: Religious - Christian - End Times, Religious - Christian - Prophecy, Religious - Christian - Theology, salvation.