THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2012
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” –Colossians 3:2
C. S. Lewis wrote, “A continual looking forward to the eternal world is not (as some modern people think) a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do.”
In Colossians 3, Paul tells us we need to be thinking about the afterlife: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (verses 1–2).
“Set your mind” means to engage in a diligent, active, single-minded investigation. This could be translated “think” or “have this inner disposition.” In other words, Paul was saying, “Think heaven. Think about heaven more.” The verb Paul used was in the present tense. So Paul was saying that we need to constantly keep seeking and thinking about heaven.
Our feet must be on earth, but our minds must be in heaven. But sadly, some of us seldom have a single thought about heaven or eternity. Yet if we are living as we ought to live as Christians, then we will think about it.
How do we think about a place we have never been before? By finding out what the Bible says about it. Heaven is not a metaphor for a state of mind; heaven is a real place, according to Scripture. And it is the dwelling place of God himself. Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).
What is troubling you right now? There is always hope, and the hope is in God. If you have put your faith in Christ, then you have the ultimate hope of heaven. One day, you will be with the Lord. And that should put everything in perspective.
2 Chronicles 29-31
James 4
Used by permission from Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie, PO Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514.
