Seek the things ...

… above !

I invite you to read with me: Colossians 3:1–4

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory!”

These words of Paul call us to live on earth with a heart turned toward heaven, yet without fleeing from earthly realities.

Paul begins with this condition:
“If then you have been raised with Christ…”

• This implies, first of all, having believed in the atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross and, through faith in Jesus Christ, having entered into the new life He gives to everyone who believes.

The old life, dominated by sin, was judged at the cross. From now on, the Christian is called to walk in the power of the resurrection. The believer is therefore not merely someone who has adopted a religion or improved his behavior.

We still live in this world, with its difficulties, temptations, and concerns, but our true identity is now found in Christ.

• We are therefore invited to seek the things above — what pleases God: His will, His presence, His righteousness, His holiness, His love, and His Kingdom.

It means learning to look at circumstances in the light of God, and no longer merely according to our emotions or human reasoning.

The world constantly urges us to pursue success, money, appearance, comfort, or recognition. These things can very quickly take up a great deal of space in our hearts.

But Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33:

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

To seek the things above is to put Christ back at the center.

He is no longer in the tomb. He is alive, glorified, and seated at the right hand of the Father. He reigns!

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8

When everything around us seems unstable, let us remember that the throne of God never wavers.

Our heart naturally becomes attached to what we constantly look at, listen to, and seek. That is why the Word of God invites us to renew our thoughts.

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Romans 12:2

The more we contemplate Christ in the Scriptures, the more our thoughts will be transformed and our affections purified.

• Paul is not saying that we should neglect our family, our work, or our responsibilities. But he warns us not to live as though the earth were our final destination.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:17–18

Possessions disappear, health and strength may decline, honors fade away, and human plans can collapse… but the one who is in Christ remains forever.

What occupies my thoughts the most: my earthly worries, or the promises of God?

To seek the things above is to live each day with this certainty: Christ is alive, He reigns, and He will return.

And then we have this wonderful promise:

“When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory!”

Franz