Set Your Minds

Ever since I was very young, I have enjoyed puzzles and mysteries. I have all the original Nancy Drew books including many first editions (thanks to my husband). Scooby Doo was my favorite cartoon (still is). I enjoy solving mysteries. An egg hunt is a type of mystery not only in finding the hidden eggs but in trying to think the way the hiders think. I was eight or nine years old when my uncle, aunt and two cousins visited for Easter. My Uncle Larry and Aunt Coral were both creative and mischievous. I am positive they helped hide the eggs that year because it was the most challenging hunt we ever had. I remember one egg in particular. I can still hear my Uncle saying look up. An egg was taped above the outside of the front door. Usually the eggs, at least in my family, were hid closer to ground level. That’s where I kept my eyes, but in this case, I needed to look up to find the prize.

Just as I was focused solely on what was at eye level or below, believers can get focused on the things of this world. We forget who God is and our identity in Christ, and then our perspective is shifted from an eternal viewpoint to a temporal, human viewpoint. This shift colors our thinking, emotions, and actions. We are more prone to be discouraged, question the character of God in trials, and live for what makes us happy right now. We’ll try to do things in our own strength and wisdom. Our object of focus is essential.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Colossians 3:1-2

Paul’s typical format in writing is to lead in the first several chapters with what God has done for us in Christ and who we are in Christ. These are called indicatives. In Colossians, some of the indicatives are Jesus’ sufficiency and preeminence, Jesus’ full deity and humanity, God has delivered us from the domain of darkness through Jesus’ atoning death and resurrection (1:13), we find all wisdom in the person of Jesus (2:3), we are filled in Jesus (2:10), we have been buried, raised and made alive with Jesus (2:12-13), Jesus has cancelled the record of debt that was against us, and He has disarmed and shamed rulers and authorities. Whew! I don’t know about you, but I need those reminders of God’s lavished goodness, grace, and mercy.

Just as in verse 2:20, Paul begins with if which might better be translated as since. This is our position in Christ. Not only have we been raised with Him now, made alive as new creations and children of God, but we will be raised experientially at the rapture and be glorified with Him (1 Corinthians 15:12-58). Verse 1 recalls what Paul taught us in chapters 1 and 2, the indicatives, and now transitions us to the imperatives – commands for us to obey with gratefulness and love because of what God has already done, continues to do and will do.

The first imperative or command that Paul gives us is to “seek the things above”. To seek is to set our attention or direct our minds fully to searching out something. In verse 2, Paul reiterates this by calling the Colossian believers to “set your minds”. It is a frame of mind, a mentality like a compass pointing us always to God and the things of God.

What exactly does it mean to set our minds on things above? Do we picture clouds, the throne or our future mansion? Certainly, directing our minds to eternity with God gives us hope now. It helps us persevere with joy knowing an eternity devoid of tears, death or pain awaits us as well as perfect fellowship with God. Paul does have in mind our future glorification (verse 4), but I think he also has a broader picture in mind. As we set our minds on things above, we make a deliberate choice to seek God Himself, to know Him more fully and to discern His will through prayer, His Word and the Holy Spirit’s work in us.

As an example, let’s examine the Israelites at the border of the Promised Land. God directed Moses to send twelve spies to survey Canaan and report back. Ten came back terrified. They saw the promised goodness of the land, but they also witnessed fortified cities and numerous, strong, gigantic people who devoured the inhabitants of the land. Their minds were set on earthly things to the extent of weeping and wishing they had died in Egypt or the wilderness. Can you envision what an earthly mindset leads to?

In contrast, Caleb and Joshua came back ready to occupy the land, “for we are able to overcome it…If the Lord delights in us, He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” Caleb and Joshua’s minds were set on things above. Their minds were focused on their omnipotent, sovereign God who keeps His promises. The ten spies saw themselves as insignificant grasshoppers in comparison to the people of the land. Caleb and Joshua saw the people of the land as inconsequential grasshoppers in comparison to Almighty God (Numbers 13:25-14:9).

Caleb and Joshua first set their minds on things above and then viewed their circumstances through the lens of God’s perspective. It was a completely opposite view from the earthly perspective of the ten spies and the rest of the Israelites who listened to them. Unfortunately for the Israelites, their earthly focus resulted in additional desert wandering until all those who doubted had died. None who listened to the ten spies entered the Promised Land (Numbers 14:20-24).

A recent conversation with a friend triggered meditating on Colossians 3:1-2. This friend has been waiting for a court date that keeps getting pushed out. In fact, the date changed 3 times in just the past couple of weeks as a new DA was assigned the case. The case involves justice being done. From a human perspective, it could hinder my friend moving forward, and putting the circumstance surrounding the court date behind her. It is frustrating and wearisome. It is tempting to lose hope or respond sinfully.

As I prayed for my friend, Colossians 3:1-2 came to mind. What would it look like for my friend to seek and set her mind on things above (which I believe she is doing)? My friend could remember God’s sovereignty and know that because God is sovereign, these changes in the court date have not taken Him by surprise. Instead, God has purposed the date in His perfect timing. In His wisdom, He knows when it is best for court to convene. He is sovereign over all those involved and in the revealing of all the evidence. My friend could be encouraged that God is good and working good in the timing of the court date. Like Joseph (Genesis 50:20), she could recognize that whatever man’s intentions are, they do not thwart God’s good purposes. She could remember that God is faithful to her. He has not forsaken her. He loves her sacrificially and nothing can separate her from God’s love. This is how we can practically seek and set our minds on things above.

Before we end today, we will look at one more phrase, “where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” To be seated to the right of a king was a place of honor (Psalm 45:9; 110:1). It is a position that highlights Jesus’ sovereign rule. It is a position from which Jesus is a continual blessing to believers.

For Reflection:

1. What earthly things do you tend to set your mind on? Are you fearing man or circumstances rather than God? What results of this do you observe in your life? Worry? Discouragement? Disobedience?

2. What truths do you need to set your mind on? What attributes of God would be encouraging to remember? What certainties of your position in Christ alter your perspective?