THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE " . . . -- 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 THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE
The "things above" are very real, but they are not tangible. They are spiritual realities, belonging to the spiritual order. They include justification (Rom 4:25), sanctification (1 Cor 1:30), redemption (Eph 1:7), atonement (Rom 5:11), and reconciliation (2 Cor 5:128-19). There is "peace with God" (Rom 5;1), "the law of the Spirit of life" (Rom 8:2), and "the love of Christ which passeth all knowledge" (Eph 3:19). They include the "breadth, and length, and depth, and height" of this great salvation, which is to be comprehended (Eph 3:18). The marvelous heavenly storehouse includes "whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report," as well as things of "virtue" and "praise" all of which are to be thought upon (Phil 4:8). There is also "the kingdom of God and His righteousness" which are to be at the forefront of the things that we "seek" (Matt 6:33). Those who seek such things are very rare.
Note, the Spirit does not say to seek the things that are on the earth, but the things that are "above," where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Our inheritance is not in this world, and therefore this world is not to be the center of our quest. Jesus spoke in strict harmony with this text when He said, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal" (Matt 6:19-20). We do not lay up treasures for ourselves in heaven by sending possessions from here to there. That is a very foolish notion, even though many speak as though that is what Jesus meant.
Our Father is "in heaven" (Matt 6:9), Jesus is "in heaven" (Acts 1:11; 7:55), the Spirit has come down to us "from heaven" (1 Pet 1:12), and our inheritance is "in heaven" (1 Pet 1:4). It makes perfect sense, therefore, to seek the things that are "above" – in heaven, where Jesus is seated at the Father's right hand.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SEEK THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE?
To seek the things that are above involves at least two things. Seeking these things is like a two-sided coin. Both sides are required for heavenly commerce.
1. First, to seek to appropriate heavenly resources that are provided for those who live by faith, and do it now. The redemption that is in Christ Jesus includes Divine provisions for the journey to glory – like the manna and water Israel enjoyed en route to Canaan.
2. Second, to seek to finally obtain the things God has "prepared for those who love Him" (1 Cor 2:9- 10). Ultimately, the present heavens and earth will pass away (2 Pet 3:10-12). It is the aim of faith to be able to obtain what survives that fiery conclusion.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the reality of the things You require us to seek.