”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).
Have you ever taken a spiritual inventory of your average day to see what it is that you spend the majority of your time not only doing, but thinking? Most people work outside the home and so they are bound by their employer to give all their attention to the work that they do. If this is you, then the work that you do serving another honors God “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men…You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23,24). But what about a spiritual inventory of what you think? This is a harder exercise because we usually forget what we think about. Nevertheless, if you note what occupies your thoughts, especially during your “down time” you might be surprise how often your thoughts are not on spiritual things.
Focusing our minds on spiritual things is a discipline and takes work. It means we must fill our thoughts with the things that please the Lord. Such as Paul says when he encourages to, “Seek the things that are above.” But not just heavenly things, but the things, “Where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” This is an important statement. Because mentioning the right hand of God is a reference to authority. There is no higher authority than that of God’s throne. So, to seek the things above, at God’s throne, is to seek the authority and influence of God’s kingdom, to seek its establishment in our lives and on the earth. Isn’t this what Christ told us in the Great Commission? “All authority has been given to me, on heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). So, we must seek God’s authority in Christ, to have it established in our minds and hearts, and in our actions, what we do.
Memory verse
“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).
Application
Do a spiritual inventory of your thoughts for one day. Keep paper and pen with you and write down the occasional thoughts you have as they come to you. At the end of your day take a look at what you have. How often were spiritual things a part of your thought life? How can you increase your time setting your mind of spiritual things?