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SET YOUR AFFECTION ON HEAVEN

 

Colossians 3:2-17

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.(KJV)

Luke 10:20

Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven" (KJV).

"|When we make self fulfillment our goal in life, it will be impossible to worship God and give him all the glory.’’

 In our lives nowadays there are so many things that easily distract us. We want wealth, nice cars, nice clothes, big houses, a good life and prosperity. We want to know what’s hot in the entertainment world, the newest movies, the latest music, and the most current fashion. We want to keep abreast with the news, the gossip of the town and sports, to the extent that we forget the real reason why we are here. We worry about life and livelihood so much that we forget the source of life itself: that’s God.

 Paul reminds in this text that we do not belong here for “our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ”. This is the outlook a christian ought to have: one of detachment from material things. Our "dreams" or goals in life should not be those of worldly wealth, personal achievement, power and pride. It should be about our character. The world is passing way. "Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness..?" - 2 Peter 3:11.
 "What kind of person ought we be?" When Jesus comes, it won’t matter how rich, healthy, wealthy or prosperous you are. Only one thing will count: your spiritual  standing. Are you right with God? Is your name written in the Lamb’s book of life?

 How Do We Make Heaven Our Focus?

Paul Tells us to consider ourselves dead to earthly things. To be dead, means to have no affection for, desire for or attachment to earthly things. The Holy Spirit within us destroys the works of evil, the lusts of the flesh, so that we are able to despise earthly things, and to desire those that are heavenly. Our character should be more important than our achievements.

 

  1. Despise the Things of This Earth – We cannot set our minds both on heavenly and earthly things equally. Mathew 6:24 -34 says, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other". We must "kill" the flesh so that the spirit may live. The Bible tells us to "mortify your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5). If we esteem earthly things we will set our minds on them instead of setting our minds on Heavenly things. 
  1. Invest your time and Resources in Heavenly Work – Our hearts will constantly stay where our treasure is. We also are likely to invest out treasure where our affection is. Matthew 6:19-21 says “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
  2. Hate the Things that may separate you from God – Sin is u.  Sin is in our nature, but the Holy Spirit is at our disposal at any time to help us overcome. We should be ready to cut links with anything or anyone who severs our relationship with God. Luke 14:26 says that If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”
  3. Guard your heart – Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"(KJV) Satan has a tendency of placing evil desires in our hearts. When we allow the enemy to plant a seed of sin in our hearts, then he has us where he wants us: in opposition to God.  The Bible says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23, KJV). The Bible also tells us that our hearts are desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). We should not be inclined to do everything our hearts tell us. 

In the book of Colossians, Paul reminds us that we have everything we need when we have Christ. He is all-sufficient, He is the head over all, He is supreme, He is greater than any other power or authority. Because of this, as Christ followers, we have His Spirit within us to equip and empower us to walk in freedom and light.

We cannot attain what we have not aimed at. We cannot be with Christ if that is not our overarching aim in life. We shouldn’t focus on things on the earth - Wealth, honor, pleasure. Our affections should not be fixed on houses and lands; on scenes of fashion and gaiety; on low and debasing enjoyments. Instead, set your affections on things above!

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