Pastor Sam's Weekly Devotionals
Life Above
Verse for Meditation:
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God." – Colossians 3:1
We’re using the summer to reflect on how Jesus’ resurrection transforms our lives and what we need to do to enjoy His fullness of life. In this week’s devotion, we are reminded that our reality has fundamentally changed through Christ:
IN WORD Paul once told a group of Christians to fill their minds with everything good, true, noble, pure, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8). Now he tells the Colossians where to set their hearts—or more literally, what to seek. They are to gaze at things above, where Christ is. Why? Because that’s where we, as believers, have been raised to live.
Many readers of this verse think Paul meant for Christians to ignore the world and focus only on heaven, but that’s not what he says. Because we have been raised with Christ, we have access to heaven’s blessings. We are no longer slaves to the sinful ways that once held us down. We are no longer powerless to meet the needs of a hurting world. We are no longer victims of circumstance, or ordinary people who are just trying to get by. We are companions of the King, seated with Him at the Father’s right hand. It’s His life that works within us, if we’ll give Him the freedom to do so. We are fundamentally different creatures than we used to be. Our hearts should reflect that reality.
IN DEED Our new nature doesn’t mean that we’ll never have trouble or get discouraged. Neither does it mean we’ll walk on water or always have instant answers to our prayers. It does, however, mean that our lives are rearranged around an eternal purpose and empowered by an invincible Spirit. We can hinder the Spirit’s work within us if we set our hearts in the wrong direction and focus on unworthy things, but why would we?
If we seek the things above—His will, His strength, His work, and His ways—we’ll reap the blessings of the Kingdom. Determine to do that. Not many people consistently set their hearts on things above and live according to their new nature, so you may have to go against the flow. But do it anyway. Be intentional about it. Fix your focus on eternity, and your life will bear eternity’s fruit. “Time is short. Eternity is long. It is only reasonable that this short life be lived in the light of eternity.” —Charles Spurgeon (in “God With Us” by Chris Tiegreen)
There was once a couple that won a week-long cruise. But having never gone on a cruise, they didn’t realize that everything was paid for. So they brought a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter and jam to make sandwiches while on the cruise. They didn’t participate in any of the activities because they thought it was an extra cost. It wasn’t until a steward, seeing them eating their sandwiches on the deck, asked them what they were doing. After they explained, the steward said, “Everything on the cruise is free for you! All the buffets, activities, etc. are free of charge!” Realizing this, the couple had a blast the remainder of the week as they enjoyed the “suite life.”
Many Christians are like this couple, living by the world’s ways. They don’t realize what they have in Christ and the power and the blessings God has blessed them with.
If you don’t know about your new life in Christ, take time to read the letter to the Ephesians this week. Then ask the Holy Spirit to help you claim and enjoy the fullness of life we have in Christ. Have a blessed week! - from Singapore, Pastor Sam