Keep Seeking the Things Above
Note from today’s Bible reading: Colossians 3-4
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul wrote, “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1). We might wonder why he used the word “if.” Was he unsure of their spiritual status?
No, these were “the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae” (Colossians 1:1). The meaning of this word is akin to the way we use the word since. Since they had been raised up with Christ (and if they were going to affirm this), they were to do something.
What were they to do? They were to “keep seeking the things above.” In other words, they were to put spiritual things first. Paul continued, “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:2-3).
Their focus needed to be on Christ and His kingdom (cf. Matthew 6:33). They were not to allow the things of this life to distract them from the promise of eternal life for the faithful. The same is true for us. If we are following Christ, we need to be looking to Him and the reward He offers as our primary goal.
So keep seeking the things above. There are many things in life that can distract us from spiritual things. We must not take our eyes off of what is eternally important by focusing too much on things that are temporary and ultimately unimportant.