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A HEART SET ON THINGS ABOVE (II)
TUESDAY, APRIL 27
Colossians 3:1-3

Colossians 3:12-17

 

“…seek those things

which are above…”

 

A HEART SET ON THINGS ABOVE (II)
 
What we are to seek. We are to seek “those things which are above” (Col 3:1). Now “above” here is not to be interpreted in a physical or spatial sense: Paul is not talking about the sky, or “outer space” (though this may be the object of many a childish fancy)! This is “above” in the spiritual sense: we are to seek the things pertaining to that realm “where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (v 1).
 
What then are the things of this realm, which we are to seek? There are the occupations of that realm, such as worship, praise, and service to God. The Apostle John describes a glorious vision of that heavenly worship (Rev 4) and of the heavenly city in which is “the throne of God and of the Lamb… and his servants shall serve him” (Rev 22:3). We have a taste of those occupations even now, on earth: in the corporate worship of the Christian church; in the worship of the Christian family and the Christian individual; in the daily joyful service of the Christian life. But how many actually have any true savour for these things, and genuinely think of them as “heavenly”?
 
Then there are also the virtues of that realm. Some of these the Apostle Paul goes on to describe (Col 3:12-17) ‒ Christian kindness; Christian humility; Christian patience and forbearance: all of which really flow from that fountain of all virtues: “charity, which is the bond of perfectness” (v 14). It is in fact a heavenly thing to see these virtues displayed on earth in one who has by the power and grace of God “put off the old man with his deeds,” and has “put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (v 9-10). But we must be active and diligent in “putting off” and “putting on”!
 
Dear reader, are not these “things which are above” worth seeking? And we can be assured of obtaining them, because of the Lord’s promise ‒ “seek, and ye shall find” (Matt 7:7). The Lord Jesus warns us against an undue focus even on the earthly necessities of life, but reminds us, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt 6:33).
 
THOUGHT: What am I seeking?

PRAYER: Father, direct my heart to seek Thy kingdom first.

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