LEARNING DAILY

Colossians 3:2, Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Matthew 6:33, But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

The culture of Colosse was pagan and immoral; the apostle Paul was writing to the Church at Colosse to tell them they could no longer live like the world around them. No, they were not to believe the same things the culture around them believed. Instead, they were to “set your minds on things that are above.” What are these things from above? They are compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, forgiveness, peace, worshipping God, and being thankful. Think about the contrast these things are from what the world promotes – anger, rage, meanness, slander, filthy language, and lying. Just read the headlines of news sites or listen to the news; can I say it is depressing. What are the conversations at work? It is difficult to find movies and even television programs that are not full of filthy language, telling us that our priority is to be on what makes us happy, or telling us what we should believe about issues contrary to the Word of God. The only way to counter this is to “set your mind on the things above,” by reading/studying/meditating of God’s Word, perhaps listening to music that lifts your spirit, and reading things that turn your heart to God.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, His followers were to seek the things of God as a priority over the things of the world. Believers should believe the kingdom of God has greater value than the things of the world. That does not mean Believers are to neglect their responsibilities and daily duties. When they seek His Kingdom first, they are walking the narrow way daily, living in obedience to Him, and sharing the gospel with others (by what they say and how they live their life). When Believers do that, God will take care of our business – that is His promise; if that is so, why worry?

The question is how does one seek God’s kingdom? To seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness means to live in the ongoing repentance from sin, and to live a sincere and devoted lifestyle Jesus has been describing in the Sermon on the Mount (If you are looking for a great study, take time to study the Sermon on the Mount.). “Seek first” might refer to your motives for doing what one does. If you are doing for the glory and honor of God, for His kingdom, and from His righteousness, God’s response is to make provision for whatever we “need” to accomplish His will. Jesus taught that the Believer’s focus needed to be taken off status, temptations, and distractions the world offers and be placed upon the kingdom of God.

The only way Believers can live according to the “things above” is to make sure they are seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness first. This not only guides them in how they should live their lives. It also gives them the reasons why they do this – God’s grace and eternity with Him. When Believers begin to think on things from above, they begin to act like they have been born from above and have been raised to be with Christ for eternity.