Do You Seek the Things That Are From Above in Your Everyday Life?

Do You Seek the Things That Are From Above in Your Everyday Life?

Scripture taken from Colossians 3:1-2. “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

If we continue to read Colossians 3, we would understand that this passage is talking about putting on a new self in Christ Jesus. Everyday, we are barraged with the evils of this world. The generation we are now living in is filled with so many abominations, it is almost as bad if not worse than Sodom and Gomorrah.

What was once considered by society pure and holy is now considered intolerable by this sinful and evil society. What was once considered abominations to God is now celebrated as wonderful and the right to practice sin and glorify it.

When we, as Followers of Christ Jesus are not in Church, what are we filling our minds with? I was recently reading a book that John Piper wrote.

He said that he doesn’t have a television at home because of the “subtle and pervasive dehumanizing banality of most television programming. This is the last thing a person needs when he is standing on the brink of eternity.”

The subtle programming has recently gotten worse since Piper wrote those words. Now, abominations to God are right in your face with every turn you make when watching television or participating in social media. Many social media platforms have allowed nudity and sexual encounters and perversion to be shown on their platforms. Certainly, Sodom and Gomorrah are being repeated right in the United States.

Let’s understand what Paul was writing in Colossians 3:1-2. If believers have been raised with Christ, it means that we have died to self and raised back up with Jesus. We have put off our old selves and have put on our new selves in our daily walk with Jesus. We are living our lives in a manner that is holy and pleasing to Jesus. We are seeking things from above. Our obedience is a response of gratitude of God’s favor which is already bestowed on us as Followers of Christ Jesus.

We are seeking to continue to live our lives holy because Christ Jesus sits on the right hand of God. The phrase “seated at the right hand of God” refers to the authority of Jesus over the world. RC Sproul writes, “The Christian life must be lived with an abiding confidence in and submission to the lordship of Christ.”

When we live our lives the other six days of the week, and we are not in Church, let us not participate in consuming the filth of this evil world. Instead, let us fill our free time with reading God’s Word, listening to Christ centered podcasts or programming. Listen to Christian music. Fill your mind with God and His Words and teachings.

The minute that you say it’s okay to watch a program or movie with cursing and sexuality, you are opening your mind to the evil one. This done over and over will condition your mind to start accepting sin as the norm. Instead, stay steady in Christ. Although we are in the world, we are not to participate in the sin of this evil world.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, If I have sinned against you by watching and listening to sin filled programming, I ask for forgiveness. Please help me to withstand the schemes of Satan through his temptations. Send your Holy Spirit to teach me what you want me to learn and change about myself. I want to live my life in a manner that is pleasing to you. I ask this in the name of Jesus.

Amen

References:

John Piper, “Lessons From a Hospital Bed,” 2016.

R. C. Sproul, The Reformation Study Bible, 2015.

Written by Joseph T Lee for Marketplace Evangelism Ministries Inc. All Rights Reserved, January 19, 2024.