THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE The text with which we are confronted reveals the necessity of a spiritual appetite. Where this is lacking, a fundamental deficiency exists. This lack is of such magnitude, that it will play a significant role in the determination of one's eternal destiny. The Lord will deal with such a deficiency when He comes. As it is written: "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they RECEIVED NOT THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH, that they might be saved" (2 Thess 2:8-10). Men WILL perish if they do not "receive" the love of the truth. -- Tomorrow:
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory" (Col 3:1-4)
THE ROLE OF SPIRITUAL APETITE
The above text continues by revealing what God does in response to men's failure to receive the love of the truth. "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thess 2:12). Whatever a person may think about human volition, without receiving the love of the truth, volition has NO capacity to embrace the truth of God.
"Seeking" presumes interest, preference, an appetite, and a compelling desire to obtain what is sought for. If these are lacking, seeking is simply not possible – and where there is no seeking, there can be no obtaining!
WHICH ARE ABOVE
" . . . which are above . . . " Other versions read, "the things of heaven" (BBE), "what is above" (NAB), and "the realities of heaven" (NLT).
Speaking of natural resources that sustain life in this world, it is said of Joseph, "Blessed of the Lord be his land, for the precious THINGS of heaven, for the dew . . . " (Deut 33:13). There are also "the THINGS of the flesh" (Rom 8:5), "the THINGS of a man" (1 Cor 2:11), "the THINGS of the temple" (1 Cor 9:13), and "the THINGS of others" (Phil 2:4). In each of these descriptions, reference is made to a body of "things" that belong to a specific order. The "THINGS of the flesh" are matters pertaining to man's temporal and fallen nature, as differentiated from what belongs to the "new creation." "The THINGS of as man" are things pertaining to men, as distinguished from angels and the beasts of the earth. "The THINGS of the temple" related to the affairs of the temple, together with the sacrifices and service that were carried out there, as distinguished from the mundane affairs of life. "The THINGS of others" are matters pertaining to other people, as distinguished from personal and selfish matters.
"T THINGS that are above" are heavenly realities. "ABOVE" refers to the domain of Divine power and government – heaven. When dwelling among men, Jesus said He came "from ABOVE" (John 3:34; 8:23). He said all power came "from ABOVE" (John 19:11). There is a "Jerusalem" that is "from ABOVE" (Gal 4:26). James affirmed that "every good and perfect gift is from ABOVE" (James 1:17). There is also a wisdom that is "from ABOVE" (James 3:17).
These "things" – things that are above – are not of this world, and have to do with living toward the Lord and walking in His favor and blessing. They are eternal, and do not fade away like "the things" associated with this world. They are "above" the world – outside of the domain of flesh and blood. "Above" involves superiority or preeminence as well as being separate from this "present evil world."
"Things that are above" are not things that can be seen with the natural eye, or perceived with any other natural sense or ability. Yet they can be perceived with the eye of faith. It is said of those who have obtained an interest in these things, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Cor 4:17-18).
"Things that are above" are not theories, ideas, suppositions, or philosophies. They are not religious sayings, theological positions, or human interpretations. These are realities that are associated with the Lord Jesus Christ, and are therefore very real "substance." They sustain the soul, satisfy the heart, and strengthen our hands. They are required to keep the faith, run the race, finish the course, and receive God's "Well done!" No child of God can do without "the things that are above."
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for a whole body of "things" that satisfy and sustain the new man, which You Yourself have created.