“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:1,2). The “if” in verse 1 means since. Now reads “Since you have been raised with Christ.”
The theme of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossian Christians is the pre-eminence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And the text says it loud and clear. Christians are to be “heavenly-minded” people especially in a godless, corrupt, immoral, Christ-rejecting world.
Heaven is the Christian’s eternal home. By faith Abraham “was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:10). That city is heaven – the abode of God. The writer to the Hebrews also points out “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city to come.” (Hebrews 13:14).
“The Christian, writes William MacDonald, should not be earth-bound in his outlook. He should view things not as they appear to the natural eye but in reference to their importance to God and to eternity.” (Believer’s Bible Commentary p. 2007).
The believer is regarded as one who has “died with Christ,” “buried with Him,” and “raised with Him” from the dead. Romans 6:5 says “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” The believer’s true identification is with Jesus as Lord and Savior. Therefore, we set our minds and affection on the unseen realities that are in heaven, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Having “died” to the unholy practices and influences of this world, believers have adopted a new mindset. Little wonder Paul could declare, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord . . . and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” (Philippians 3:8-10).
One of the great joys of being a Christian is knowing that our allegiance is to Jesus Christ who saved us from our sins and who is now our advocate in heaven, seated at the right hand of God as our great High Priest. And also that we will live and reign with Him in the heavenly scene one day. Paul says,“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20). This is such a blessed thought as we eagerly await the return of the Lord.
Yes, we are heavenly citizens. However, there is a note of caution here. We still have to live in the world until the Lord calls us home or He returns for the “rapture of the Church.” The Scripture exhorts us to respect, and be subject to the governing authorities.
In Romans 13:1-7, Paul tells us that government is a part of God’s provision in the world. This also means that we must obey the laws of the land. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Rom. 13:1). Note: “Let every person” includes Christians. And in verse 7: “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” This doesn’t mean we can’t continue to remain heavenly minded. We are only obeying the Scripture.
Christians must always keep in mind this present world is definitely not our permanent home. We have been saved with an eternal salvation to live in an eternal city called heaven.
Christians are “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:3,4). Highlight these words kept in heaven for you. This perfect inheritance is reserved, awaiting our arrival in our heavenly home.
Being heavenly minded helps us “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1,2).
Being heavenly minded makes us “not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:6).
Being heavenly minded will “let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9).
Being heavenly minded helps us be “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16). “You shall be holy, for I am holy,” is in reference to Leviticus 11:44.
Are you ‘heavenly minded?’