When the word ‘therefore‘ begins a sentence, it indicates that the words that follow are related to the words that came before. When you are reading it straight through, it is a bit easier to recognize what ‘therefore’ refers to. However, when we are reading/studying in smaller clusters of verses – at least for this forgetful mind – it is important to clarify the reference. In this particular portion of the letter, Paul is referring back to the fact that the believers have died with Christ, and He has set them free from the spiritual powers of the world. Yet they are still hung up on the world’s rules and human teachings.1
This does not mean that believers should ignore all earthly concerns. It does, however, mean that believers ought to give their time and attention to things pleasing to God, rather than things pleasing to men.
Bibleref.com, Colossians 3:2
So Paul reminds them that having been raised with Christ, transformed into new creations in Him, their life is meant to be for and about Christ and the things He taught and did in His life on earth – not the world and its demands, expectations, or approval. For us to live like this, we must set our minds on Heaven – our eternal home where Christ and God are ~ instead of on earthly things that distract and often hold us captive. However, as Bibleref.com warns, “This [setting our minds on things above] does not mean that believers should ignore all earthly concerns. It does, however, mean that believers ought to give their time and attention to things pleasing to God, rather than things pleasing to men.”
Here’s a quick word picture of how our thoughts affect our actions, etc. ~ When my dad was teaching me how to drive, he started me off on a path that took me through our little town. One direction led under an underpass that, to this new driver, didn’t seem wide enough for two cars, and the other direction went up a hill where there was a pretty thick and tall’ish’ culvert on the side of the road. Fifty-some years later, I still drive these paths nearly every day, without a problem. However, at 16 years old and a new driver, the walls of the underpass and the protruding culvert rising above the road caught my eyes/mind every time and caused me to veer into the other lane and oncoming traffic. Needless to say, I caused my father great concern and was always reminded that I needed to keep my eyes/mind on the road ahead of me and not allow myself to be distracted/frightened or controlled by the things around me. ~ I hadn’t thought about those driving lessons for a while until the analogy flooded my mind just now – as a fitting reminder that to live the Christian life well in this world of distractions we must keep our eyes/minds on the “road ahead” or as Paul writes, the “things above” so that we aren’t distracted, frightened, or controlled by the things of the world.
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. ~ Colossians 3:1-2
Friends, in a world where people are always watching what we do and listening to what we say, how we live and speak matters. We know this because Jesus told His disciples to “let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16); and Paul told the believers at Ephesus, “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them“(Ephesians 4:29). Today’s passage makes it clear that it is equally, or perhaps even more important, to give as much concern to what we think about (set our mind on). After all, Scripture also tells us that out of the mouth comes the overflow of the heart (Matthew 12:34 and Luke 6:45), which I have learned in my own battles with my mind can also be translated: where my mind is ~ there my heart (actions, words, desires, attitudes…) will be also. In other words, what I think about is evident in my actions, words, desires, and attitudes.
Response of Worship
Reflection and Application
In all the years that I have been putting this teaching into practice, more than 30 years now, I have learned that to do so requires us to be purposeful. We must physically fix our minds on the things of God (Father, Son, Spirit) ~ things that matter to Him, things that cause us to live and speak and love like Jesus and not the world.
- In your day-to-day life, what are some practical steps you can take to help you focus more on eternal things?
Prayer of Response
Father, You are good and worthy of my love and life – given by You and for You and Your glory, by grace through Faith in Christ. Spirit, help me to set my mind on things above ~ the things that matter to You. Guard me from being caught up with the things of the world and the pleasures and/or the desires and demands of ‘man’. For I am Yours, set apart for You 💜
The More We Know
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ~Philippians 4:8
Bonus Worship Song 🙂
- Bibleref.com, Christ Is All I Need, p 135 ↩︎
Me From the Inside Out 