“IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [Ps. 110:1.] And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Colossians 3:1-3
If you’re in agreement with the scripture verses you’ve just read, then seal it with a hearty AMEN! This is not the time to be wishy washy. There’s a lot at stake in these last days. We’ve experienced some things this past year that would let us think we’re in a long unending nightmare and we just want to wake up, with a sigh of relief and say thank God! It was just a dream. But it wasn’t, was it?
As true believers in Jesus Christ, our approach is one of faith over fear, peace over confusion and joy over anxiety. We should never allow world events to take our focus away from Christ. He is our only answer to everything that’s happening around us. The apostle Paul encouraged the believers in Colossae, to “set their minds, and keep it set, on things above.” But this ability to set our minds is only possible if we have been raised to a new life in Christ. The old mindset will not work during tough times. Our old inclination is to run away or fall to pieces. The new mindset is Christ centered and focused on the Word of God, which brings us into alignment with His purpose and will.
Paul says as far as this world is concerned, we have died to its dictates and desires. Instead of resorting to the old us we embrace the new life that responds with prayer and total trust in the One who is seated at the right hand of the Father. The Bible teaches us to look away from our circumstances to Jesus, the Author and Finisher/Perfector of our faith.
“We look away from the natural realm and we fasten our gaze onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because His heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be His, He endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God!”
Hebrews 12:2 TPT
Jesus had a made up mind. He had us in view, and nothing, not even the cross, was going to stand in His way. When we allow the cares of this world to take priority in our hearts, we lose sight of what is above. We have been raised up with Christ, if indeed we are born into His family. His strength helps us in our weaknesses. We fail, when we allow our minds to run wild with thoughts that defeats us. The function of the renewed/set mind is to instantly draw our attention to the Word of God. Here’s a perfect example of the set mind versus the old mindset.
The doctor gives you a bad report. The old mindset would freak out. But the renewed/ set mind immediately goes to Isaiah 53, Psalm 118:17; Psalm 103:1-5; 1 Peter 2:24. Faith steps out in front of fear and confesses that the report may be true, but it’s not my truth. My Truth is based upon the unchangeable Word of the Living God. Hallelujah! You look at your bank account and it’s in the red, your old mindset is going nuts. The new mindset speaks up. Philippians 4:13, Deuteronomy 8:18, Psalm 37:25. What’s happening? Your mind has been set on things above not on things below.
I said in Wednesday night’s bible study, that the problem christians are having today is not a lack of biblical truths, the problem is refusing to believe the Word of God. We know it, we quote it, but we don’t believe it. A set mind quotes it, believes it and acts upon it. James said show me your faith without corresponding action, and I’ll show you dead faith. I’m paraphrasing here. Faith without action is dead on arrival. James 2.
The cares of this world is designed to keep us anxious and fearful, God’s answer for all that was satisfied in Jesus Christ. Read the first line of Colossians 3 again. “IF THEN” this is suggesting that a change has taken place, something has been replaced. 2 Corinthians 5:17 happened. John 15:7 is your new normal. Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:22 “put off the old man.” Our problem is that we just enjoy living in both worlds, it won’t work! That’s called double mindedness! There’s a positive and negative charge that enables electricity to function correctly. Now it’s all electricity, but, if you tried connecting two negatives or two positives they would repel one another. A positively charged object will exert what is called a repulsive force upon a second positively charged object.
If this is true of electricity, how much more so in the spiritual life. If your doubt is positive and your faith is positive there’s bound to be a repulsive force, they can’t function together. The renewed or set mind, if functioning correctly, should repel any attempt by the enemy to connect us to our old way of thinking and living. The thought of returning to what we have been delivered from should repel us. The Holy Spirit is the repulsive force against the sin nature, but we must cooperate with Him in order to function correctly. Just as those two positives were at odds so should our new life be at odds with our old lives. Set your minds, and keep it set on things above. This is what we have been renewed from.
“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.
You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now
is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other,
for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.”
Colossians 3:5-9 NLT
Hallelujah to Jesus for my set mind! Just reading the list repulses me. Thank God for grace and mercy! We daily get rid of anything that still wants to hang on to us from the past. The pruning of our Heavenly Father is making us better everyday for this purpose.
“And when Christ,
who is your life,
is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory.”
Colossians 3:4 NLT
Shout hallelujah for the IF THEN! We’re not trying to be saved! We already are! We have been raised with Christ to a whole new way of living, thinking and being! Glory to God! We have put on Christ, the old man is dead. Keep him in the grave, don’t resurrect him. Nothing will be able to shake your life or overpower you. Not when you’re dead and hidden with Christ! Set your mind, keep it set on things above! Meditate on verse 4.
We have something glorious to look forward to. I call that a confident expectation of good. Hallelujah! Christ is now your WHOLE life, hallelujah!
Nothing else matters. Faith is not denying what you’re facing or going through, faith denies it the right to overpower or overwhelm you. Dead people can’t worry, just like dead people can’t sin. The old you died. Remember 1 Corinthians 5:17? You didn’t get patched up, you’re born anew! The inner you is being renewed daily. 2 Corinthians 4:16. Cooperate with the Holy Spirit and live victoriously in Christ Jesus.
WELCOME TO YOUR NEW NORMAL!!
I’ll end with a quote from a young persecuted Christian in Iran, maybe it will help to change the way you view your commitment to Jesus. When asked how her faith uplifts her despite the dangers she lives with this was her response:
“Think about how you’ve deeply loved someone, and whenever you think about that person, you take comfort. You unconsciously smile, and you can endure everything. Then nothing seems so important anymore. Jesus Christ is like that for me. I truly love Him, and at the beginning, I made a covenant with Him to stay faithful to Him. He is my divine love that never changes.
I think it’s necessary to say that anyone can be a Christian when the conditions are right. Yet even in the very most difficult moments, I have felt His presence. He gives me peace and makes me feel that I belong to Him.” CBN news source
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant