SET YOUR AFFECTION ON THINGS ABOVE

  Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

 (First of all, if you have not yet been “risen with Christ”, if God’s Holy Spirit does not bear His unmistakable witness with your spirit that you are a child of The Living God, stop reading, humble yourself before The Almighty, and receive the forgiveness of sins that is offered through the shed blood of His only begotten Son, Jesus.  Pray until you receive this Blessed Assurance from the Spirit of God. If you have just done this, please let me know, we rejoice with you!)

 We are instructed to seek (to desire, strive, search until you find) those things which are above.  Then we are instructed to set your affection (to think, to be mentally disposed earnestly in a certain direction-God’s purposes, the settled disposition of your will; an affection which is inseparable from its object-Christ Jesus) on things above. Notice the shared attribute of those “things above” is where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

 In seeking to set our “affection” on the things above, let us start right there with Christ sitting on the right hand of God. As my wife Sherry wrote back in August, “a seat is a place of rest”. When we learn of Christ, place our trust in Him for everything in life that concerns us and our loved ones (that means doing life His way, not ours), then we can truly find rest for our souls.

 Eph 1:3 assures us, all of those that truly be risen with Christ are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Just what is the primary purpose in all these spiritual blessings? Surely it is my personal happiness and at least a cushy middle class life-style. Where did that come from? I do not know, but it seems to be the prevailing western understanding. Continuing to read the following verses gives us the plain understanding, these spiritual blessings are that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love… according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace.

 Php 2:5 says, Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (let this anchor every discussion we have). Verses 1-7 describes “this mind” (which is in Christ Jesus), as one that is encouraged in Christ, that is comforted in His love, of having fellowship in His Spirit, that has deep inward affection and compassionate mercy, that is humble, and one that is concerned not only with ourselves, but also with the well-being of others, taking on the form of a servant. Maybe that this is nowhere more worked out in and through our lives than when we allow the Lord to use us, as He will, in getting others to this place of “rest” in Christ Jesus (Mt 11:28-30).

 Finally, brethren, (Think on These Things) whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things…and do: and the God of peace shall be with you! ~ Php 4:8,9

Bobby Gums 704.619.9201