What is your mind fixed on? What things do you tend to focus on – temporal things or eternal things?
If you said, “temporal things”, I get it – I do the same thing all the time. Most people tend to focus on whatever is in front of them; we need to be constantly reminded to think about truths we don’t physically see every day. As the old saying goes “out of sight, out of mind”. Paul understood this, which is why he often reminded believers to check their thinking.
To the Colossian believers, he wrote, “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” (Colossians 3:1-2 ESV). I love this passage because Paul is not only telling believers where their thoughts should be, but he is also telling them WHY: as those who have been raised (literally “co-resurrected”) with Christ and are alive in Him, the rightful place for our thoughts ought to be where He is (seated at the right hand of Majesty on high). Paul is calling us to remember the TRUTH that though we are present physically on Earth, our TRUE LIFE is WITH CHRIST – both now and in the future.
In another letter, Paul comforted the Corinthian believers saying, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV).
Once again, we are reminded not to focus on the physical/temporal things as our source of truth or hope, but to look upon the eternal and everlasting things. When we shift our thoughts from the temporal to the eternal, we are reminded of what awaits us: the glory of Christ. One day every trial will end, every struggle will cease, and every tear will be wiped away. No matter what happens to us in this life, nothing can keep us from the life we have in Christ now and the future that awaits us with Him in eternity.
As Paul encouraged believers in his day, I encourage you: set your minds on the eternal truth, life, and hope you have in Jesus. Remember all He has done for you, all He is doing for you, and all He will do for you! As a believer, you are alive in Christ now and forever! And the future that awaits you is filled with His glory!
His truth is everlasting; His love is unending.
May God richly bless you in His Son,
Dr. Aaron George Glover