CONCENTRATE ON THE ETERNAL RATHER THAN THE TEMPORAL - PUT HEAVEN'S PRIORTIES INTO DAILY PRACTICE.
"Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."The Christian's real home is where Christ lives. This truth gives us a different perspective on our lives here on earth. To "set your minds on things above" means to look at life from God's perspective and to seek what he desires. This is the antidote to materialism; we gain the proper perspective on material goods when we take God's view of them. The more we regard the world around us as God does, the more we will live in harmony with him. We must not become too attached to what is only temporary.
The Christian is a new person united with Christ. The two overwhelming events through which Jesus passed into the power of an endless life were death and resurrection. Those who are united with Him must reproduce in their personal spiritual histories these two events. To be in and with Christ is to be identified with Him in death and resurrection.
To be hidden with Christ means to be concealed and safe. This is not only a future hope, but an accomplished fact right now. Our service and conduct do not earn our salvation, but they are results of our salvation. Take heart that your salvation is sure, and live each day for Christ. Thank God today that you belong to Him!
The person whose life is "hid with Christ in God" is dead to sin because He is united with Christ's death which destroyed the power of sin over us. For us, like Paul, there must be a finality about Christ making us victors over sin.
Christ risen in the energy of the Holy Spirit is the power for holiness. We are called upon to seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Our real life is there, our true, best interests are all identified with Him. Heavenly-mindedness is the natural, or I should say, spiritual outcome of this realization. As the heart is taken up with Him we will be concerned about representing Him aright in this world where He is still rejected and His claims refused. That is, as a watch is set to the sun, in order to mark the time correctly, so let your mind be set to Christ risen, in order that His life may be seen in you. We must represent Jesus Christ as good Ambassadors.
Heavenly thoughts can only come by understanding heavenly realities from Scripture. The rich expression of being "hidden with Christ in God" reminds us of a few things: 1) Believers have a common spiritual life with the Father and Son; 2) The world cannot understand the full import of the believer's new life; and 3)Believers are eternally secure, protected from all spiritual enemies, and with access to all God's blessings. Praise God! May you have happy thoughts today!
