Colossians 3:1-17 If you aim at nothing, that's exactly what you'll hit. If you set no direction for the course of your life there is no telling where you will end up. One thing is for sure; it will more than likely be where you don't want to be. Letting life "just happen" will give Satan a green light to derail you. Paul tells us in our Scripture: "[1] Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." There are certainly commitments and obligations that we have here; but our primary focus ought to be preparing for where we will be spending eternity. In fact, in Ephesians 2:6 Paul tells us that we are already seated with Him in the heavenly realms. If our spirit is with Christ in the heavenly realms and our minds and emotions are tied up with the trash of this world, we're left in a rather helpless state of confusion and turmoil. That is why Paul goes on in verse 5 and tells us to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature. He gets rather specific: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed ... It is because of these God's wrath is coming and it's not smart to stand behind the target. These were part of the old life. Now they need to go (be put to death). Verses 8 and 9 show us other areas that need to be dealt with. Paul goes on with the positive - "put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of the Creator" (Verse 10). We then, need to clothe this new self. Our clothing is how the world sees us. It should consist of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. These are the windows through which the world sees the Jesus that is resident within us. As our hearts are set on home - make it a place that others will want to join you.?

Set Your Hearts