Seek the things that are Above

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Colosians 3:1

When is the last time you visited your social media to jump into the malaise of politics to blind side whoever doesn’t agree with you? I know this exists. Not because I’ve jumped into the fray; I only have to listen to the conversations around me. Let me get more personal. I’ve heard of the rhetoric that goes back and forth between church going people. Let me qualify that I don’t equate all “church going people” to being followers of Jesus Christ, but I do believe Christians attend churches. This exhortation is intended for everyone who enters the door of a church while claiming to be a Christ follower.

You can learn a lot about a person by what they say. Within the political ring of social media everyone who “posts’ “likes” or “tweets” has laid their minds bare to be read by every social media aficionado. Once the “post” or “send” has been selected, that’s it, there’s no trying to deny intention or culpability. What’s done has been done.

Regardless of the “intent” of their world-wide message, what first existed in the mind has been revealed. The plethora of “social” skirmishes seem to be a form of entertainment for many. Attendees delight in the skeptical of the contemporary coliseum. The roars from the crowd are often zealous cries for an earthly crown. They claim to “fight” in the name of God while defending their political gladiator. They are ignorant of the righteousness of God while attempting to establish their own. Their eyes are not fixed on Christ.

Temptation to hold on tightly to this world is habitual for the natural man. Unfortunately, Christians are not exempt from this temptation. When confronted by the false teaching of outsiders Colossian Christians were reminded by the Apostle to set their eyes on Christ. “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Col 3:1). Paul commands Christians to devote serious effort to “the things above”. Seeking the things above is commanded because true Christians have been raised with Christ. They have been brought from spiritual death to spiritual life. They have been set apart, distinguished from this world, therefore, they ought to think like it. They are to “press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:14).

Paul reminds Christians that Jesus Christ is clothed in preeminence and is seated with all authority at the right hand of the Father. This is not hyperbole, but do you believe it? Do you see Christ as almighty, universe sustaining, and intercessor who’s sovereign over every molecule, cell, nanosecond, breath, & decision? Do you really believe that or is it mere intellectual ascent?

Do you trust that His providence, regardless of the earthly outcome is always good or have you confused what is good for you to be synonymous with what is pleasant and comfortable? When live’s outcomes don’t go according to your plan, are you able to say with Samuel Rutherford, “I will charge my soul to believe and to wait for Him, and will follow His providence, and not go before it, nor stay behind it.” If you have been raised with Christ, set your mind on the things that are above, not on things that are on the earth.