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)
Devotion 14 of 25
"Set your affection . . . not on things on the earth."
Because the flesh insists on emphasizing this world, and neglecting the world to come, an additional exhortation is given. We are in the domain where Belial competes against Christ. Darkness contends with light, and unrighteousness asserts itself against righteousness. There is no accord whatsoever between what comes from heaven and what comes from earth. As it is written, "for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (2 Cor 6:14-16). If an affection for the things of God is to be developed and maintained, there must be a corresponding forfeiture of a preference for the things of this world. This is not an option. Any person who maintains an emphasis on this world, by that very emphasis, forfeits the things that come from heaven. We are, then, dealing with a matter of great sobriety.
NOT ON THINGS
" . . . not on things . . . "
There are two orders of "things," or realities. Things above are eternal. Things in the world
are temporal. Things above are pure. Things of the world are defiled. A similar attitude cannot be maintained toward both of these realms simultaneously. Our "affection" cannot be placed upon both domains at the same time. Our thoughts cannot be centered on both realms concurrently. Those who say we can have the best of this world, and the best of the world to come, need to rethink what they are saying. In a sense, there is no such thing as "the best of this world." The world – everything in it, and the lusts that attach men to it – is all going to pass away (1 John 2:17).
SOLOMON'S EXAMPLE
God has carved out a piece of earthly history in which this is confirmed. It is found in Solomon, a man unexcelled in wisdom "under the sun." He had, what men would call, the "best of this world." He himself testified, "And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor: and this was my portion of all my labor" (Eccl 2:10).
Technically, the things Solomon received were given to him by God Almighty. When the Lord asked Solomon what he wanted, he asked for wisdom to guide the people: "Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?" (2 Chron 1:10). The saying so pleased the Lord that He responded, "Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: wisdom and knowledge are granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like" (2 Chron 1:12). Note, Solomon had not set his heart on these things, and that is why God gave them to him. Yet, they gave him no advantage whatsoever in acquiring or keeping wisdom from the Lord. In fact, he realized no ultimate satisfaction in the abundance of worldly goods that he possessed. Hear his own words. "Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun" (Eccl 2:11).
Who is the person, then, who will set his affection on things on the earth. Not only has God told him NOT to do it, we have the testimony of one who lacked nothing the world has to offer. He said it was vain. Thus the truth of the matter is established by two witnesses. There should be no doubt about the matter.
Mark it well: there are "things" for which you are NOT to develop an appetite. These are things for which you are NOT to culture a preference or a longing. Such yearnings cannot be dignified or sanctified. God is not in any way honored by a mind that is focused upon this world.
Wherever there is a mind that is drawn toward the earth, there is a forfeiture of heavenly things. I have noticed that when men aspire to some earthly position, it is always the things of God that are forfeited. It is as though the world will not allow a person to maintain godly perspective while having a fundamental desire for something it has to offer.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for providing Your grace to teach me what to reject, what to accept, and how to live with my heart and mind looking forward to the return of Your Son.