“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2 (KJV)
Most Christians would reject the idea that we might remotely “love” the world more than God. Yet, we could simply review our expenditures to see where our affections lie. One leadership guru said, “Show me your checkbook and I’ll show you what you value.”
We can get so wrapped up in “the cares of this life” that we lose sight of the One who showed his love by the Cross. The great Apostle to the Colossians challenged his readers, “So, if you are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God” (v.1). This is not a criticism, but a gauge for resurrected saints. How we live identifies who we are. Who we love is identified by the focus of our lives. If we love Christ, then our lives are focused to serve him and his interests.
Consider this gauge: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). If our “love” for worldly things is growing stronger, then our “love” for the Father is growing weaker. The inference, of course, is that we will adjust our “love” accordingly.
Still another gauge: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). The issue for resurrected saints is: earthly treasures versus a heavenly treasure. Which will endure and protect us?
The Apostle Peter wrote, “God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5).
The resurrection of Christ has reserved our inheritance — safe and secure — in heaven. The challenge for us is to firmly fix our affection on it and not be distracted by the things of this earth. Remember, that our faith is in the one who keeps us “by the power of God unto salvation.” Now that is truly a living hope!
Dear Father, thank you for showing us how to gauge our lives. Empower us with a greater affection for heaven than for this earth. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged by Scripture’s gauges,