It Starts Small

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4

you have been raised with Christ

This was a pivotal moment in chapter 2, where the transformative power of God takes center stage in our lives. Once lost and dead in our sins, we have been blessed with a new existence, made alive in Christ! Chapter 2 fervently unveils this profound doctrine. The verses that follow will passionately explore the dynamic impact. This truth should ignite something within us. When we engage with this logic, it becomes clear. We hear the clarion call: “set your hearts on things above!”

Set your set your hearts on things above

Paul boldly asserts that this is precisely the path they have been treading. It’s a passionate assertion. It is grounded in the truth that every true believer would be engaged in this pursuit. After all, if not, can they truly call themselves believers? The essence of this passage resonates with an urgent call to prioritize what truly matters. Paul isn’t advocating for a life spent lost in dreams. Instead, he urges us to grasp the significance of our pursuits. We should dedicate our time and energy to what genuinely counts. In a world brimming with endless distractions, we have the power to choose what we chase after in life.

What are some of the most common desires driving those around us? What should we be pursuing above all else? We should earnestly seek the things of God, passionately pouring our hearts into building His kingdom rather than our own. Our lives should resonate with a devotion to bringing Him glory, not seeking our own. We must wholeheartedly dedicate ourselves to serving Him, placing self aside. Take a look at your daily schedule. You can pinpoint your true priorities based on how you choose to spend your time. So, I ask you—do your actions passionately reflect that you are chasing after the things of God? Or do they merely reveal that you’re offering empty words to this profound truth?

where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Why should we focus on heavenly things? What is there that is so important? It is because Christ is there.

³⁴ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:34

In Luke 12:34, we are profoundly reminded that “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” As true Christians, our hearts should fervently belong to our namesake, Christ! According to 1 Peter 2:11, we are mere sojourners on this earth; this is not our true home. Many of us, after traveling for an extended period, have felt the deep ache of homesickness. We yearn for the familiar comforts of home, for that is where our hearts truly reside. Believers, too, should passionately embrace this longing, feeling an intense desire for the eternal home that awaits us!

We must resist the temptation to become too attached to this fleeting world. When Jesus endured the agony of the cross, He declared, “It is finished.” He arrived in this realm with a divine mission, and with His sacrifice, that mission was triumphantly fulfilled. Likewise, we must live with fervor and purpose. We should endeavor to accomplish the vital work God has set before us. We must do this before we arrive at our ultimate destination. Falling in love with the world is like developing a fondness for tasteless airplane food. This happens while journeying towards the gastronomic paradise of the world.

Set your minds on things above

This concept is echoed time and again, underscoring its profound significance. Embracing this truth is not merely an afterthought; it is a deliberate act of will, fueled by conviction. We recognize that Satan cunningly employs myriad distractions in this world. He strives relentlessly to divert our focus from the essence of what truly matters. He whisked Jesus to the summit of a mountain. There, he unveiled the stunning splendor of the world and its kingdoms. His insidious aim was to shift Jesus’ gaze from the divine to the allure of this earthly realm. He sought to ensnare Him and thwart His mission. For countless saints, he has attempted this same deceitful strategy.

your life is now hidden with Christ

We passionately abide in Him, and He fervently abides in us! We have bravely died to ourselves, and now we belong wholly to Christ. We can stand secure and unshakeable in Him. Verse 4 unveils a more profound picture of this beautiful truth. Right now, it may seem like people are indifferent to us; they might even mock us. Our message may appear to fall on deaf ears. But let it be known, we are on the victorious team! One glorious day, Christ will reveal Himself in His magnificent splendor. We will triumph alongside Him, for He is already the Victor! Our very identity is intricately woven into our relationship with Christ. We are no longer our own. We belong entirely to Him!

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Cross-References

• Luke 12:34
• Deuteronomy 6:5
• Colossians 1:16-17
• 1 Corinthians 8:6
• Deuteronomy 4:29
• Jeremiah 29:12
• 1 Chronicles 16:11

Discussion Questions

• What does it mean to be raised with Christ?
• If you have been raised with Christ, share when and how this happened.
• What things “which are above” is Paul referring to?
• How can we seek those things?
• How should we set our minds on the things that are above?
• What will our lives look like if we are doing this?
• What will our lives look like if we are setting our mind on the things on earth?
• What does it mean that your life is hidden with Christ in God?
• How does verse 4 connect topically with the previous verses?

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