Monday, December 02, 2013

Don't Be So Earthly Minded That You Are Of No Heavenly Good

                      

In fact, don't be earthly minded at all!

Php 3:20  But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Col 3:1  If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Col 3:2  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 
Col 3:3  For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.


It is precisely when our hearts and minds are set on the things above where Christ is; that is, of eternal things, true and pure things (Phil. 4:4-9), things of God (1Cor. 2:14), spiritual things, that we as Christians then can be helpful on earth. Biblical truth is truly practical and guides and guards are daily lives in all areas. Consider what the rest of Col. 3 says after stating that we ARE to have heavenly-focused minds:

Col 3:4  When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 
Col 3:5  Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

All true wisdom and knowledge are hid in Christ Jesus Col. 2:2-3 states. Godly wisdom is not from the world or its philosophies, but found in Christ Himself and His Word. How we deal with life is directly related to whether we are seeking true biblical wisdom or earthly, demonic wisdom (James 3).

Paul goes on to say how we used to walk in those earthly ways, but now we must put away such deeds of the flesh like malice, slander, anger, lying, and all the old ways of the old self. Rather we are to set our minds on the things above--spiritual things, putting on the new self which is being renewed in the knowledge after its Creator. Setting our minds on where Christ is in Heaven, we are then:

God's holy ones, and so we are to act accordingly, with the fruit of the Spirit. Having our hearts and minds set on what is above will affect how we think and thus behave with those around us, particularly in the household of God. From husbands to wives to children to slaves, all relationships will be affected by having our hearts and minds set on what is above.

The result of having our thoughts and hearts fixed on heavenly things according to Col. 3 is:

Fruit of the Spirit
Love for the saints
Forgiving and bearing with one another
Harmony among the saints
The peace of Christ ruling in our hearts
Thankfulness
Dwelling in the Scriptures 
Teaching and admonishing one another 
Seek to glorify Christ in all things
Husbands will love and be gentle with their wives
Wives will submit to their husbands
Children will obey their parents
Slaves will obey their masters from the heart for the sake of Christ and His name


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