Things Above
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:1-2
In this verse we get two commands. First, we are to set our hearts; second, set our minds on things above. In other words, things above are to capture our imaginations, emotions, thoughts, feelings, ideas, and on and on.
Most of us consider this command to be less needed than other mandates in Scripture. But we do need it! When you consider that the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart and mind, it follows naturally that we should set our hearts on things above “where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.”
C.H. Spurgeon once said, “Some of you, right now, could not be happy if you were allowed to enter heaven. Shall I tell you why? It is because heaven is a land of the spirit and you have neglected your spirit.”
It is the spiritual person who can most readily set his heart and mind on heaven. So live in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, abide by the Spirit, pray in the Spirit, and you can’t help but glean a real and deep longing for heavenly glories above.
What enriches your spirit? Filling your heart and mind with whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, or anything excellent or praiseworthy. What enriches your spirit? Accessing the means of grace through prayer, worship, the reading of God’s Word, and fellowship. What enriches your spirit? Trusting and obeying your Lord.
I want to be a truly spiritual person, Lord, so help me to keep in step with your Spirit today. May my flesh diminish and my spirit increase as I set my heart and mind on things above.
Living in God’s Love: A Call to Christian Community
Over decades living with multiple sclerosis (MS), Kay has reflected and taught on issues related to illness, disability, caregiving, and healing, as well as the role Christianity can play in creating a sustainable culture and caring communities.
