things above

On Sunday, we began chapter 3 of Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians. Thus far, Paul has established the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ in all things. He has warned the church at Colossae not to be taken captive by additional “spiritual improvement” programs. Since we are in Christ, He is all that a believer needs.

In chapter 3, Paul begins to flesh out what it looks like for the Christian to live in light of that truth. Twice in the first four verses, Paul mentions “things above,” and he attaches commands to those realities. He uses the word “seek” in verse 1 and “set” in verse 2. We are to seek and to set our minds on things that are above. Both verbs in the Greek denote continuous and habitual action. In other words, they could be translated, “keep seeking” and “keep setting your mind” on things above.

But what does that actually mean?

First, a new identity produces a new direction

Paul lays the foundation in verse 1 by reminding us that we have been raised with Christ. He expands on this in verse 3, where he says we have “died” with Christ and are now “hidden with Christ in God.” Then in verse 4, he calls Christ our “life” and reminds us that we will one day appear with Him in glory.

Consider the weight of these realities. We are so united to Christ that His history has become ours. It is as if we died with Him, were buried with Him, and have been raised to walk in newness of life. In Christ, through faith, we have received His righteousness and the promise of eternal life. In Him, we have assurance.

This is why Paul can say that our life is “hidden with Christ in God.” Our security is not in ourselves, but in Christ. The words of John 10 come to mind:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Both the Father’s hand and the Son’s hand, metaphorically speaking, are wrapped around the believer. None can pluck us from them. These are the promises Paul is calling us to remember. Because we are in Christ, we have a new identity—and because we have a new identity, we now have a new direction in life.

That is why Paul commands us to “seek the things above.” If we are in Christ, then our old life has ended and a new one has begun. We are no longer defined by the world, by sin, or by our past. Our lives are now oriented toward something entirely different.

Paul gives us a clue as to what he means by “the things above” when he says that Christ is seated at the right hand of God (v. 1). The right hand signifies power and authority, and the fact that Christ is seated points to His finished work and present reign. The “things above,” then, are the realities of Christ’s rule—His authority, His kingdom, His righteousness, and every spiritual blessing secured by His work.

To “seek” these things means to desire them, aim at them, and pursue them. It means reordering our lives around Christ—His priorities, His kingdom, and eternal realities. This is the new direction that flows from our new identity.

Second, a new identity produces a new mindset

Paul then deepens the command: “Set your minds on things that are above.”

This is not referring to occasional or passing thoughts. Paul is calling for a fixed mental orientation—a way of thinking that governs how we interpret all of life.

Christian, consider this: when is the last time you spent even a few minutes meditating on heaven? When is the last time you thought about seeing Christ, being freed from sin, or joining the heavenly chorus in praise? When is the last time you consciously reflected on the present reality that you are an adopted son or daughter with access to the throne of grace?

To set our minds on things above is to live with that kind of awareness. It is to cultivate a mindset shaped by eternal realities.

We might describe this as a thoroughly biblical worldview. It is living all of life coram Deo—before the face of God. It is evaluating life through Scripture rather than through culture. It is measuring success by faithfulness rather than visibility. It is bringing every thought captive to Christ and living in light of eternity rather than being consumed by the present.

If our thinking is earthly, our lives will follow. But if our minds are fixed on Christ, our lives will increasingly reflect Him.

As we are in Christ, and empowered by His Spirit, may we be a people who labor to seek and set our minds on things that are above until the day that our faith will turn to sight.