Focus on what God is passionate about
Brandt Gillespie
(Audio: English)
SUMMARY: Paul encourages us to focus on heavenly things and set our passions and desires on what God values. Our earthly existence is just a vessel for the true treasure, Jesus within us. Let us ask God for the empowerment to make Jesus the center of our lives.
Throughout the New Testament, the Apostle Paul encourages us to recognize and acknowledge our status in Christ based on the merit of what Christ's death and resurrection has afforded us. He presents as a foregone conclusion that since we have been raised with Christ, we are a new creation in Christ, and our old self is as good as dead. For Paul, Christ was his life. In Philippians 1:21, Paul writes, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
In today's scripture, Colossians 3:1-4, Paul exhorts.... “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. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (New International Version).
Paul is inspiring us to focus our affections (our heart) on heavenly things, the things that have eternal value. He then tells us to "set our minds on "things above," which literally means to focus our passions and our desires on what God values. What is God passionate about? He is passionate about the preeminence and the kingdom of HIs Son, truth, holiness, obedience to His commands, righteousness, and a relationship with us as His created beings.
God is speaking clearly to His people to shift our focus from earthly perspectives and values to what truly constitutes our life, the glory of Christ, our Lord and Savior. Our earthly existence is compared to being "clay pots" that house the true treasure, Jesus Himself within us.
Today, let us ask God for His empowerment to focus our hearts and our minds on Jesus, so He truly becomes our life and what is most valuable to us!
In today's scripture, Colossians 3:1-4, Paul exhorts.... “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. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (New International Version).
Paul is inspiring us to focus our affections (our heart) on heavenly things, the things that have eternal value. He then tells us to "set our minds on "things above," which literally means to focus our passions and our desires on what God values. What is God passionate about? He is passionate about the preeminence and the kingdom of HIs Son, truth, holiness, obedience to His commands, righteousness, and a relationship with us as His created beings.
God is speaking clearly to His people to shift our focus from earthly perspectives and values to what truly constitutes our life, the glory of Christ, our Lord and Savior. Our earthly existence is compared to being "clay pots" that house the true treasure, Jesus Himself within us.
Today, let us ask God for His empowerment to focus our hearts and our minds on Jesus, so He truly becomes our life and what is most valuable to us!
