The Things Above

THE THINGS ABOVE

Col 3:1-17

Col 3:1-17 (NKJV)

¹ If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

HOW TO SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE: PUT TO, PUT OFF, PUT ON

1. PUT TO DEATH THE FLESH (Through Obedience)

5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

The reason why we find it hard to focus on heaven is because we are still living for the fleshly desires of our body. The cure for this is to crucify the flesh by simply obeying the commands of the Lord. We don’t have strength to combat our earthly desires, but God gave us a will to choose to follow His commandments. Disobedience is the root of all our carnal tendencies. If you are struggling today in your walk with Christ, it is because you are obeying the lust of the flesh and not His will which results in being earthly-minded. Start obeying His word and slowly but surely your mind will be heavenly-minded.

2. PUT OFF THE OLD MAN OF DISCRIMINATION BY PUTTING ON THE NEW MAN OF EQUALITY

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

Heaven is a place filled with people from every tribe, tongue and nation. There is equality in His kingdom. On this earth there is injustice, prejudice and discrimination. Deeming yourself more superior to your fellowman results in filthy language and lying, along with anger, wrath, malice, etc. If we deem each other as equal members in the body of Christ, we should not be speaking bad things against our neighbor. The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as you love yourself. You wouldn’t lie to yourself, would you now? You wouldn’t curse anyone because you consider the other person as yourself. Such is the character of heaven.

3. PUT ON TENDER MERCIES & LOVE BY FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER

¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ¹⁴ But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

One Facebook Account is named: What Would You Do In Heaven? It says in its webpage:

Heaven is forgiveness. Being forgiven. And being able to forgive. Forgiveness brings peace. Forgiveness unites us and builds bridges where we once built walls. Forgiveness allows us to lay down our burdens, our guilt, our anger. When we finally find healing and wholeness, we find forgiveness as well. Forgiveness is heaven.

Heaven is a place whose inhabitant is people who has been forgiven and are forgiving. The Bible says:

Matt 6:14, 15 (NKJV)

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Unforgiveness will keep us out of heaven. Harboring ill-will and bitterness against our fellowman will keep our minds on the things on this earth, and we will only focus on our hurt pride, ego, and emotions. Forgiving our neighbors will give us a touch of heaven for this is the atmosphere of His kingdom.

Paul also says: Eph 4:32 (NKJV)

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

Conclusion: 5 Things You Should Do To Have Heaven On Earth

¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

5 Things mentioned here that reflect the character of heaven:

1) PEACE

Peace in heaven - Luke 19:38

2) WORD OF CHRIST

Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Psalms 119:89

3) SINGING

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. ⁹ And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, Rev 5:8-9

4) HIS WILL BEING DONE IN HEAVEN

Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matt 6:10

5) THANKSGIVING

Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! Psalms 136:26 (NKJV)

And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, ¹⁷ saying: "We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. Rev 11:16-17 (NKJV)

C.S. Lewis, in his book, “Mere Christianity,” he wrote:

If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.

Let us therefore be heavenly minded so we could do more earthly good.

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Pastor Edward Vincent J. Barcial