I was at a wedding a while ago, where the minister encouraged the couple to remember: if they have children, they were a couple before they had children. Similarly some of you might benefit from being reminded that: you were a Christian before you became a boyfriend/girlfriend…
Christian In Name & Nature
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2)
Baptism at whatever stage in life represents a new beginning in Christ, one where you have become a “new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17). In addition, Colossians 3:1-2 makes it plain that one of the things this new creature should do is: seek those things which are above. Jesus was under no illusion that He was “from above” (John 8:23).
Let’s review a few points:
- If you acknowledge Christ as your personal Saviour, you should seek those things which are above.
- Christ naturally sought things that are above, because he recognised that He was from above.
Bearing these points in mind, can you really claim that you want to be like Christ if you refuse to set your mind on things above? Moreover, have you really been raised with Christ if you continue to set your mind on things of the earth?
You simply can’t get to heaven without a heavenly mindset.
The Consequences of Being Earthly-Minded
If you compare the experience of Lot’s wife and Sarah, the former’s affinity towards her earthly treasures curtailed her life. On the other hand, Sarah’s desire to obey God’s command (to Abraham) outweighed her desire to hold on to the life she had created in Ur. In essence, Sarah chose to set her mind on things above, whereas Lot’s wife did not.
“Set your mind” in the Greek means phroneo (to exercise the mind, entertain, have a sentiment or opinion). The KJV translates this as ‘set your affection.’ Think of the last person you set your affections on… you most likely spent a lot of time exercising your mind on them. You probably entertained a lot of thoughts related to them, and definitely had an opinion about said person. Now imagine if you exercised that same passion, time, and imaginary commitment, to thinking about heavenly things?
Imagine if you could picture things pertaining to your salvation as vividly as you could picture your ‘crush’…
The Benefits of Being Heavenly-Minded
The counsel to set your mind on things above is given to both parties in a relationship. Separately. Jesus Himself told us that we should not lay up for ourselves earthly treasures (Matthew 6:19-20). Imagine the scenario below:
Lot lives in a land where people don’t fear God, but he desperately tries to remain faithful. However, when he comes home his wife demonstrates a similar disregard for God that he sees outside his home. She tells him she believes in his God, but deep down he feels that she hasn’t made a true commitment. She hasn’t decided to set her mind on things above. Unfortunately, there comes a time when crisis hits; he’s forced to decide between the wife he loves, and the God he loves. He painfully chooses the latter.
I have no idea whether you, or your significant other, are heavenly-minded; however, wouldn’t it be a shame if there was no difference within and without your current/future household. Assuming you are indeed heavenly-minded – how cumbersome would it be to convince the very person you’ve committed to spending the rest of your life with, to constantly let go of their earthly treasures? At some point in your life, you might have to make the same decision Lot did – always remember that you were, and are, a Christian before you are a spouse.
There were no caveats when Christ sought those things which are above, and neither can there be with you.
So…
By our nature we are carnal and that has some inevitable consequences: “for those who live according to the flesh set their minds [phroneo] on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5)
However, be encouraged that God can reveal to you if you have set your mind on the wrong things. “So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature, and full-grown, have this mind and hold these convictions; and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind [phroneo], God will make that clear to you also.” (Philippians 3:15, AMP)
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