Colossians 3:2-3

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

Paul’s message was a matter of life and death. In the previous chapter, he referred to baptism as being an act of burial (Colossians 2:12). Through baptism, one life comes to an end and another one, focused on Christ, begins. That’s why Paul encouraged his readers to make sure their primary focus was on heaven and not on the things of earth. Many of us know the description of someone being ‘so heavenly-minded that they are of no earthly use’. Paul would absolutely disagree with that, believing that the person who was focused on heaven would be of the greatest possible use on earth.

Paul had a very clear idea of the dangers of allowing our earthly, sinful nature to be in the driving seat. He told his readers to put to death sexual immorality, impurity, lust and evil desires, and warned them against greed. He observed that a greedy person was an idolater, worshipping the things of this world. He knew that a life that was totally focused on earthly things was bound to end in disaster and told his readers to strip off their old sinful nature. They needed to put on new clothing, the things that flowed from a life that was renewed in Christ.

Paul specified the new clothing that Christians need to put on. They are the qualities which flow from the heart of God: tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12). When we live that kind of life, the world around us will be blessed. Indeed, people will be touched by heaven itself.

Question

Would you describe yourself as heavenly-minded or earthly-minded?

Prayer

Loving God, thank you that you have made it possible for me to live a new life in Christ. Amen