In order to be of eternal help to others we must chose to be mindful of Heaven’s business if we are to be of any earthly use.
I prayed today for myself and some others that – God would make us so Heavenly minded, we would be of some earthly use ! {Read Col 3:1-2}. It is not to live with our head in the clouds, as tough we are immune to the world or people here. it is not like monks of old who removed themselves ad lived in caves, the only problem there is you take yourself with you! It is not about a location but meditation- where we place our Mind! It is to have our thoughts and affections firmly planted in the unseen realm where Christ reigns and the Bible reveals what HEAVEN is like and what are the desires, commands, promises and pursuits desired from the King of Heaven. In order to be of eternal help to others we must chose to be mindful of Heaven’s business if we are to be of any earthly use. For only as we are influenced by the things above will we be able to be of any use to those on this earth! For as we seek the things above then will we view life and the people around us through that lens of view.”
“The things Above.”- Lit, “The Above,” are the first words in the Greek emphasizing that the direction of the believer is to be Upward, Heavenward. Look to Heavenly things, first and continuously as it will influence the way you look around you! “Setting one’s mind on things above”- is a command, not optional and is continuous. The world system, the evil one and self seek to occupy your mind in order to control, manipulate and lead you away from the first and greatest commandment which is to ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and… MIND!” God provides how to counteract… by setting your mind on things above, continuously do this and His Spirit will strengthen you through HIS WORD! The word, “Seek,” marks aspiration, desire, passion… in order to seek these things the MIND must be set on them.”-{Morgan.}. “Earthly things are not all evil… even things harmless in themselves become harmful if permitted to take the place that should be reserved in the things above.:-{Vaughan}.
Spurgeon comments…
“You say that you were dead with Christ, and that you have risen with Christ. Live, then, the risen life, and not the life of those who have never undergone this matchless process. Live above.”
John MacArthur has a clarification concerning maintenance of a an “upward mindset” Paul is not advocating a form of mysticism. Rather, he desires that the Colossians’ preoccupation with heaven govern their earthly responses. To be preoccupied with heaven is to be preoccupied with the One who reigns there and His purposes, plans, provisions, and power. It is also to view the things, people, and events of this world through His eyes and with an eternal perspective… When Christians begin to live in the heavenlies… they will live out their heavenly values in this world to the glory of God. (MacArthur, J. Colossians. Chicago: Moody Press).”
EVERYTHING OF ETERNAL VALUE IS IN HEAVEN.
Everything we should love and value is there…
In Heaven..
1. – Our Heavenly Father is there – John 14:1
2. – Our Savior is there – 1 Thess 1:10
3. – Our Names are recorded there – Rev 21:27
4. – Our Citizenship is there – Phil 3:21
5. – Our Spiritual Family is there – 2 Cor 5:8
6. – Our Future is there with Him- John 14:1-7. –7. – Future Rewards -Also in Heaven the believers work will be recognized and rewards will be given- “If any mans work which he has built upon remains, he shall receive a Reward.”- 1 Cor 3:14
8. – Our Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ, Will Return from there! -Phil 3:20
Your Future is wonderful because of the love of the Lord Jesus for you!
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT YOU CONTINUALLY CHOOSE TO THINK ON. Train yourself to choose to THINK on His Word. {Read Phil 1:2; Phil 4:8}. Trust Him to remind you of His truth so you may be about Him and His business!
We must THINK- THINK- THINK continuously on The Lord Jesus and His Word. Trust Him continually, and learn to live in compliance with His Word in order to help others for Jesus sake!-{Read 2 Cor 4:5} “Set your MIND on things above where Christ is seated….Set your Affections on things above…”- {Read Col 3:1-3}. Someone once said, “you will be so heavenly minded you will be of no earthly use.” But the reality is, only those who are mindful of Heaven’s business will be of any earthly use!
Remember– If we do not set our affections, mind’s, on things above- there is a vacuum, and the things below will seek to control, dominate us and lead us away from Eternal realities!
“Do not love (present imperative plus a negative = command to stop loving the world! cp Jas 4:4–note) the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1Jn 2:15–note)”
His Word is “fuel” for our thinking right, and renewing our mind. {Read Rom 12:1-3}. You and I are responsible for what we choose to think on “Set your affections on things above, where Christ is seated”- {Col 3:1-3}. “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly”- {Read Col 3:16}. “Blessed is the one whose.. delight- is in the Law of the LORD and meditates in it day and night He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.”{Psalm 1:2-3}.
PRAY; Ask God to make you Christ conscious and…
THINK; Chose to think on Christ and His business as revealed in Scripture
MEMORIZE AND APPLY; Take a 3 by 5 card and write Colossians 3:1-3 on it and carry it with you and when you have free time read, re-read and then begin to MEDITATE, think on each word, phrase, sentence and verses. Commit to memory. Pray these verse for yourself and others and seek first His kingdom and God will make you heavenly minded so you begin to see life through the lens of Scripture and you will be of earthly use to the Lord Jesus.
APPROPRIATE – Choose His Word, His Ways…and your work will be of eternal value!
What we focus our thinking on will determine our earthly use! This does not mean we do not think about the daily things we have to do, but in those things we can look to be about is business, for example, people we meet, and seek their eternal welfare through sharing about Him, helping them practically, speaking politely, or even if no contact we can pray in our hearts to Him. for example, sitting in an airport watching people pass by. It is possible to pray and ask the Lord to rescue them spiritually that they may love Him, if they are not His. if they are His that He would keep Himself before them and illuminating his Word to live seeking forts the kingdom of God and His righteousness.. and continually setting their affections on things above!
Only Those who are Heavenly minded will be of any earthly use.