You might have been told by people in church to try your best and forget about “earthly things” (i.e., anything that is fun or enjoyable) and focus your attention on “heavenly things” (stuff like singing in church). Don’t do it, at least not in the sense that they mean.
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The reason Paul tells us to “seek those things which are above” is that Jesus Christ, after He rose from the dead and defeated death forever, ascended into heaven (Colossians 3:1). That is, in fact, where He is to this day. But Jesus’ ascension to heaven wasn’t a return journey, at least not exactly.
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Jesus has always existed, being God Himself, but His human nature was ascending to God’s space for the first time. The dust of earth has been exalted to heaven in Jesus—who is fully God and fully human.
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Paul actually says we need to set our minds on Christ, who is in heaven.
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Christ, who is human as we are. Who is of the earth as we are (John 1:14).
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Paul is not telling us to avoid setting our minds on things that pertain to Earth the planet. This is because, although Jesus has ascended to heaven, that is not where He is going to stay.
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When the time comes, He will return to Earth and He will raise the bodies of His people from death (Romans 8:19-24; Revelation 21:1-5). He will reign and rule on the made-new Earth forever and ever.
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So set your mind on Jesus, the earthy King of Earth. Rejoice in the victory He has won over sin and death and eagerly anticipate His glorious return. • Kevin Zeller
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• What do most people mean when they say to focus on “heavenly things”? Does this match what the Bible says?
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• Reread today’s Bible passage. We live in a world broken by sin. In our lives, what sort of things might be “earthly”—opposed to Christ and His reign (Colossians 3:5-17)?
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If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1 (NKJV)
