Colossians 3:2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
The word set is an interesting word. The picture that comes to my mind when I hear the word ‘set’ is concrete. It does not start out hard, but wet. As long as it is still wet you can manipulate it into any shape you want (that is, a feasible shape. Some shapes won’t do.) But once it dries up, there is no turning back. There is no ‘undo’ once the concrete is set. In other words, the concrete becomes ‘fixed’ once it is dry. That is why our buildings are able to stand for more than hundred years.
Here comes the Apostle Paul, telling us to set or fix our hearts on things above, not on things on the earth. I like Paul’s philosophy in life. I believe he was not tied down by ‘things.’ He told the Church at Philippi that he knew how to be brought low, and how to abound. In any and every circumstance, he learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. He boldly declared to them that he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him because his focus was not on ‘things.’ (Philippians 4:10-13) He was one happy guy, regardless of his state. He was content in whatever state he was.
Here is another great passage of scripture from the Apostle Paul. He was instructing the church at Corinth not to lose heart because of the things that Paul and other ministers were going through. He said, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…” (2 Corinthians 4:17) Let me show you some of the things that Paul considered as ‘light affliction.’
2 Corinthians 11:24-28
in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
I believe none of us have suffered near as much as Paul did. But all this suffering he called ‘light affliction.’ What was his secret? It is found in verse 18 of 2 Corinthians 4. He said, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” If you can see it, it is temporary – it is subject to change. (There is no gain that comes from fixating on it.) Paul had his heart fixed on things above. He was eternity minded, not ‘things’ minded. He is one guy who had his priorities set right. He was focused on the right thing. When you start looking at your troubles in light of eternity, all things will strangely grow dream and the hope of an everlasting life springs up in you. You will have the joy and the strength to glory in your tribulations, knowing that suffering or tribulation works patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: And this hope does not disappoint, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)
David was an interesting character among Old Testament men. I believe he was a ‘New Testament man’ living in the Old Testament. He was no ordinary king. God even said about David that he was a man after His own heart. (Acts 13:22) In one of his Psalms he said, “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” (Psalm 57:7) This was at a time when he was running for his life because king Saul wanted him dead. Instead of fixing his heart on the things that were going on around him, he shifted his focus to praising God. He fixed his heart on things above. This is surprising! When faced with tribulation and calamity, many turn to God and start complaining. They tell God how bad the situation is, how they can not endure it anymore. Some even dare give God ultimatums. Some may say, “God, if you do not deliver me I am going to stop serving you.” Some God offended when persecution came and they gave up and went back to the world. But David, instead of complaining, he started singing and giving praise to God. We can all do the same. When our hearts are fixed on the right things, we will have the strength to carry on in life. We will encounter supernatural victory, rising above our troubles, and end up giving more gory to God.
I am going to encourage you with a hymn by Helen H. Lemmel that fits perfectly well with this subject.
Chorus:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Verse 1:
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free.
Verse 2:
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conqu’rors we are!
Verse 3:
His Word shall not fail you, He promised;
Believe Him and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
May the Good and Gracious Almighty God help us focus on the right things. Grace and Peace to you.
School Of Faith 