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¹Since 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. ²Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. ³For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3 (NLT)

Today’s Resting at the River’s Edge reading has us in Colossians 3. I love how this chapter starts: “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ.” So many great words in that phrase:

Since — Paul is saying that what follows is because of what has occurred. Well, that means something has occurred. It has happened. It is a done deal!

Raised – You have been brought to a higher level. You weren’t pushed down and you’re not eating dirt. You have been raised up. When you are tempted to feel down about yourself, remember this first phrases – “Since you have been raised.”

New Life – That’s what you’ve been raised to – a new life. It is a life that is higher and better than your old life. No matter the circumstances, you have been raised to a new life. (Someone say “Hallelujah!”)

With Christ – You’re not raised to this new life alone, you have been raised “with Christ.” You have been raised with the One who said “I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20) You have been raised with the One who loves you so much He died for you. What an awesome thing! We know that the One who has been raised up sits at the right hand of God. Ephesians 2 reinforces that we are not only raised up with Him we are also seated with Him:

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus…
Ephesians 2:6 (NIV)

Because of that, dear friends, Paul continues in Colossians:

set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. ²Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. ³For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3 (NLT)

Let’s look at a couple more words:

Set your sights – Focus your attention, dial in your scope. Actually, the Greek word is most often translated as “seek” and is the same word as used in this great verse:

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things [i.e., what you need to eat, drink and wear] will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

Our focus is not to be on the realities of this world or this life, but on the realities of heaven.

Realities of heaven – The realities of heaven. Paul emphasizes that heaven is a reality. It can be so easy for us to lose sight of that. The pressures of this world can crowd around us and block out the true realities of life. The urgent can so easily displace the important.

So Paul reminds us in verse two to think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth because our “real life” is hidden with Christ in God. This life we live is only a temporary reality at best. Yes, we have to deal with the realities of it, but the true, lasting realities of life are heaven for those who know Christ and hell for those who do not. So let’s think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

I wonder…how much time do you spend thinking about heaven? I would have to confess that my answer to that question wouldn’t set any records. But I did have an experience recently that validates Paul’s exhortation. Not that Scripture needs validation, of course, but let me share it with you.

The other day I was waiting for Phil in a public place. I don’t remember the details, but I know that I was starting to get frustrated at the unexpected wait.. I quickly realized that my face was communicating to all around me that I wasn’t a happy camper. That’s not a witness I want to have. That’s not a testimony I want to present. So I changed my thinking. Instead of thinking about how late Phil was, I began to think about what a truly wonderful husband I have. I thought about his idiosyncrasies that I love and those that drive me a little crazy. (By the way, one of those idiosyncrasies is that he loves to pose for pictures as he did in this one.) I thought about his kindness. And I went on to think about how great God is to have given me such a partner.

You can guess what happened. My demeanor changed quickly and when Phil found me moments later I had a big old smile on my face! And until then, I smiled at everyone that passed me by. Perhaps I brightened the day of a few of those people.

Paul tells us to think on the realities of heaven. Let that be what gives us a pleasant expression throughout the day. Let that be what enables us to smile at the person who treats us rudely. Let that be what gives us patience when ours is in short supply.

Paul continues by exhorting us to holy living. Hmmm…Seems to be a topic we can’t get away from! (See two blogs from last week Live Worthy and Live Worthy, Part 2.) Because we’ve been raised up with Christ, because we have died to our old life, we’re to die to our old, sinful habits and practices. And focusing on the realities of heaven, we’re to clothe ourselves “with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12, NLT)

Before he addresses specific relationships (wives, husbands, children, fathers and slaves), Paul gives a generic command

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:1-17 (NLT)

That’s a whole lot easier when we’re remembering our position (raised up with Christ) and keeping our sights on the realities of heaven. Let’s do it!

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 2nd, 2012 at 6:28 am and is filed under Attitude, Christian Living. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.