Living with Eternal Perspective

The Gravity of the Temporary

We live in a world obsessed with the immediate. Our news cycles are twenty-four hours. Our social media feeds are instantaneous. Our gratification is expected to be on-demand. We are conditioned to focus on the here and now—the mortgage payment, the next promotion, the latest trend, the fleeting validation of a “like” on a post. We spend our lives climbing ladders, only to realize they are often leaning against the wrong walls.

The human heart is prone to what C.S. Lewis famously called “chronological snobbery”—the belief that the present moment is the most important moment, and that the things of this world are the ultimate reality. Yet, the Bible presents a radically different perspective. It invites us to lift our gaze from the mud of earth to the glory of heaven.

The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Colossae, issues a crisp, powerful, and life-altering command: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2).

This verse is the heartbeat of the Christian worldview. It is the key to unlocking joy, peace, and purpose in a chaotic world. It is the secret to navigating suffering, resisting temptation, and living a life that truly matters. This article will explore the depths of this command, examining the theology of eternity, the practical application of setting our minds on heaven, and the profound transformation that occurs when we view our lives through the lens of eternity.

Understanding the Context of Colossians 3

To fully grasp the power of this verse, we must first understand the context of the letter and the specific challenges the Colossian church faced.

The Colossian Heresy

The church in Colossae was under attack from a syncretistic heresy that blended Jewish legalism, Greek philosophy, and Eastern mysticism. This false teaching, often called the “Colossian Heresy,” promoted the idea that Christ was not sufficient for salvation or spiritual growth. It taught that believers needed additional knowledge, ascetic practices, and the worship of angels to reach spiritual fullness.

The Antidote: Paul’s response to this heresy is the most exalted Christology in the New Testament. In Colossians 1:15-20, he declares that Jesus is the “image of the invisible God,” the Creator of all things, and the head of the Church. He is supreme. He is sufficient. In Christ, all the “fullness of Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9).

Because Christ is supreme and because believers are “hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3), Paul urges them to live in light of their heavenly identity.

The Shift from “Position” to “Practice”

Colossians 3 begins with a dramatic theological shift. Paul writes: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above…” (v. 1). Notice the word “since.” It is a conjunction of conclusion. Because of what God has done for us in Christ—raising us from spiritual death and seating us with Him in heavenly places—we are to live in a certain way.

The “Already” and the “Not Yet”: We are already raised with Christ in a spiritual sense (our position), but we are not yet in the fullness of the Kingdom (our practice). We live in the tension between the “already” and the “not yet.” We are citizens of heaven living as ambassadors on earth.

The Imperative of the Mind

Colossians 3:2 is a direct command. It is not a suggestion, a wish, or a mystical ideal. It is an imperative—a word of command. Paul uses the Greek verb phroneō, which means to think, to set one’s mind on, or to be devoted to. It implies a conscious, deliberate, and continuous action of the will.

This is not passive daydreaming. It is an active, intentional orientation of the intellect and the affections toward the things of God. Paul is telling us that our thinking determines our living. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7).

Deconstructing the Command – “Things Above” vs. “Earthly Things”

To obey this command, we must understand the contrast Paul is drawing. What are “things above,” and what are “earthly things”?

The Nature of “Things Above”

“Things above” are not just a vague concept of “heaven” as a place of clouds and harps. In the New Testament, “things above” encompass the entire reality of God’s redemptive plan, His character, and the eternal Kingdom.

Key Elements of “Things Above”:

• The Person of Christ: Sitting at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1). Our focus should be on Jesus—His life, His death, His resurrection, and His intercession for us.
• The Kingdom of God: This is the reign of God in the hearts of believers and the ultimate consummation of His rule over all creation.
• Eternal Truths: These are the unshakable promises of God—salvation, forgiveness, adoption, and the hope of resurrection.
• Spiritual Realities: These include the presence of the Holy Spirit, the ministry of angels, and the communion of saints.
• The Character of God: His holiness, love, justice, mercy, and grace.

The High Calling: Setting our minds on these things means we prioritize our relationship with God above all else. We view our lives through the lens of His purposes.

The Nature of “Earthly Things”

“Earthly things” (or “things on the earth”) are not inherently evil. Food, marriage, work, and rest are all good gifts from God. The problem arises when these good things become ultimate things. When we are consumed by them, when we find our identity and security in them, they become idols.

Earthly things include:

• Materialism: The relentless pursuit of wealth, possessions, and status. Jesus warned, “You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24).
• Carnal Desires: Paul lists these in Colossians 3:5: “sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.”
• Human Pride: The desire for the praise of men, ambition for power, and self-glorification.
• Anxieties: Worrying about tomorrow, about food, clothing, and shelter. Jesus tells us not to worry about these things because the Father knows our needs (Matthew 6:25-34).
• Temporal Success: Building kingdoms that will burn. Paul warns against building with wood, hay, and straw—works that will not survive the fire of judgment (1 Corinthians 3:12-13).

The Danger: When our minds are set on earthly things, we are spiritually short-sighted. We are like people staring at the mud on the ground when a beautiful sunset is blazing in the sky. We lose perspective, and we lose our joy.

The Theology of Eternity

Why is an eternal perspective so crucial? Because the reality of eternity changes everything about how we live in the present.

The Sovereignty of God

An eternal perspective begins with the recognition that God is sovereign over time. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8). He is not bound by the constraints of our linear timeline. He sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10).

The Implications: Because God is sovereign, nothing happens by accident. Our lives are not a series of random events; they are a narrative written by the Author of history. The trials we face are not pointless; they are part of His divine plan. An eternal perspective allows us to trust God when we cannot trace Him.

The Brevity of Life

The Bible is brutally honest about the brevity of life. James compares our lives to a “mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14). David prays, “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is” (Psalm 39:4).

Living in the Light of Eternity: When we realize that our time on earth is short, we stop wasting it on trivialities. We stop holding grudges. We stop chasing wind. We begin to invest in things that have eternal value—our relationship with God, our families, and the salvation of souls.

The Resurrection Hope

The foundation of the Christian eternal perspective is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because He rose from the dead, we have the assurance that we too will be raised.

The Promise: In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul argues that if Christ is not raised, our faith is futile. But because He is raised, we have a living hope. The grave is not the end. Death is not the final word. We look forward to a new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13).

The Motivation: This hope motivates us to live holy lives. John writes, “Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure” (1 John 3:3). We don’t just endure this life; we live it with purpose and purity because we know where we are going.

The Practical Application of an Eternal Perspective

Theology must become practical. How do we actually “set our minds on things above” in the daily grind of life?

Cultivate a Daily Devotional Life

You cannot set your mind on things above if you never look up. A consistent time of prayer and Bible reading is non-negotiable. This is the primary means by which God renews our minds (Romans 12:2).

The Word: As we read Scripture, we are exposed to God’s thoughts. We learn His ways. We see His character. The Word of God is the lens through which we see the world.

Prayer: Prayer is the conversation that keeps us connected to heaven. When we pray, we are acknowledging our dependence on God. We are aligning our will with His will. We are rehearsing our faith.

Keep a Journal of God’s Faithfulness

As discussed in previous articles, a gratitude journal is a powerful tool for maintaining an eternal perspective. When we write down what God has done, we build a record of His faithfulness.

Looking Back to Look Forward: When we face new challenges, we can look back at our journal and remember how God delivered us in the past. This builds our faith and reminds us that the God who was faithful yesterday will be faithful today and tomorrow.

Practice the Discipline of Contentment

Contentment is the fruit of an eternal perspective. We can be content because we know that we have an inheritance in heaven that will never spoil, perish, or fade (1 Peter 1:4).

The Secret: Paul wrote, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation” (Philippians 4:12). The secret is not having more; it is trusting the One who has everything.

Application: When you feel the pangs of envy or materialism, remind yourself of your heavenly riches. You are an heir of God and a co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17). What could the world possibly offer that compares to that?

Serve Others with Eternity in View

Service is a practical way to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). When we serve others—whether it’s helping a neighbor, giving to the poor, or teaching a Sunday school class—we are investing in eternity.

The Motivation: Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Our service to others is service to Christ. It has eternal significance.

Live with an Eternal Mindset in Suffering

This is perhaps the hardest application, but it is where an eternal perspective shines the brightest.

The Light Affliction: Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

The Reframing: Paul calls our worst sufferings “light and momentary.” How can he say that? Because he was looking at them through the lens of eternity. He was comparing his temporary pain to the eternal weight of glory. When we are suffering, we must do the same. We must say, “This hurts, but it is not the end of the story. The best is yet to come.”

Overcoming Obstacles to an Eternal Perspective

If an eternal perspective is so beneficial, why is it so hard to maintain? We face constant obstacles.

The Distraction of the Mundane

The daily routine can be a spiritual sedative. We get caught up in the “tyranny of the urgent”—the dishes, the bills, the deadlines, the traffic. These things are not sinful, but they can crowd out the spiritual.

The Solution: We must learn to see the sacred in the secular. We can worship God in the mundane. We can pray while washing dishes. We can listen to sermons while commuting. We can turn our work into an offering to God (Colossians 3:23). We must intentionally break the monotony with moments of prayer and reflection.

The Lure of Materialism

The world screams at us to consume. We are told that happiness is found in the next purchase, the next upgrade, the next vacation.

The Solution: We must practice the discipline of generosity. Giving breaks the power of materialism. When we give generously—to the church, to missions, to the poor—we are loosening the grip of money on our hearts. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

The Weight of Grief and Loss

Grief can be a heavy cloud that blocks our view of heaven. When we lose a loved one, our health, or our livelihood, it is easy to become earth-bound.

The Solution: Grief is not the enemy of faith; it is a reality of a fallen world. We must allow ourselves to grieve, but we must not grieve as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). We have the hope of the resurrection. We have the hope of reunion. We can look forward to a day when there will be no more tears, no more death, and no more pain (Revelation 21:4).

The Attack of the Enemy

Satan is the “prince of this world” and the “god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4). He actively works to blind the minds of unbelievers and to distract believers from their heavenly calling.

The Solution: We must put on the full armor of God, which we studied in the previous article. Specifically, we must use the “helmet of salvation” to protect our minds and the “sword of the Spirit” to counter the lies of the enemy with the truth of God’s Word.

The Evidence of an Eternal Perspective

How do we know if we are truly living with an eternal perspective? There are “fruits” or evidences that manifest in our lives.

A Life of Holiness

John writes, “Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself” (1 John 3:3). When we are focused on heaven, we are less attached to the sin of this world. We are not trying to “get away with” sin; we are striving to be like Jesus.

The Pursuit: Holiness is not legalism. It is a love for Christ that compels us to obey Him. It is a life that reflects the character of the One who has saved us.

A Life of Generosity

An eternal perspective makes us generous. We realize that we are just passing through. We are stewards, not owners. We hold the things of this world loosely.

The Heart: The early church in Acts 2:44-45 “had everything in common” and “sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” This was not communism; it was generosity born out of a shared identity in Christ and a shared hope in eternity.

A Life of Joy

Joy is a hallmark of the believer who is looking to heaven. This is not a superficial happiness dependent on circumstances; it is a deep, abiding gladness rooted in the hope of glory.

The Source: Peter writes, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8-9). The salvation of our souls is the source of our joy.

A Life of Peace

When we have an eternal perspective, we don’t panic. We know that God is in control. We have peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7).

The Calm: Paul was in prison singing hymns (Acts 16). He had peace because he was not focused on his chains; he was focused on his Savior. An eternal perspective brings a supernatural calm to the storm.

A Life of Evangelism

If you truly believe that heaven is real and hell is real, you cannot keep it to yourself. An eternal perspective compels us to share the Gospel.

The Urgency: We are not just building comfortable lives; we are on a rescue mission. We are pulling people out of the fire (Jude 23). We are heralding the good news that there is forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life in Jesus Christ.

The Rewards of an Eternal Perspective

God is not a debtor. He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). What are the rewards of living with an eternal perspective?

The Reward of God’s Presence

When we set our minds on things above, we experience God’s presence in a deeper way. He draws near to those who draw near to Him (James 4:8). The presence of God is the greatest gift we can receive this side of heaven.

The Reward of Wisdom

Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” When we view life through the lens of eternity, we make wiser decisions. We don’t fall for the “get rich quick” schemes or the empty promises of the world. We invest our time, talent, and treasure in what actually matters.

The Reward of Ease in Trials

When you know the end of the story, it is easier to endure the middle. An eternal perspective doesn’t make trials painless, but it makes them bearable. We can “count it all joy” (James 1:2) because we know that the trial is producing perseverance and ultimately, a reward.

The Reward of Eternal Crowns

Paul speaks of a “crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:8) and a “crown of life” (James 1:12) for those who persevere. These crowns are not just for our glory but for God’s glory. We will cast our crowns at His feet (Revelation 4:10), acknowledging that He alone is worthy.

The Reward of “Well Done”

The ultimate reward for the faithful servant is hearing the words of Jesus: “Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). To hear those words will be worth more than all the wealth, fame, and pleasure this world could ever offer.

Living in the “Now” and the “Not Yet”

Living with an eternal perspective doesn’t mean we neglect our earthly responsibilities. It means we fulfill them in light of eternity.

The “Now” – Faithful Stewardship

We are to be faithful stewards of the life God has given us. We work. We love. We serve. We pay our taxes. We participate in society. We are to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-16).

The Balance: We don’t get so “heavenly minded” that we are of “no earthly good.” Actually, the most heavenly-minded people are the most earthly good. Think of George Müller, who cared for thousands of orphans because he trusted God for provision. He was looking to heaven, and it made him a powerful force for good on earth.

The “Not Yet” – A Pilgrim Mentality

Peter calls believers “foreigners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11). This is the pilgrim mentality. We are not permanent residents here. We are ambassadors of a foreign land—the Kingdom of God.

The Focus: This doesn’t mean we don’t love our country or our community. It means our ultimate allegiance is to the King of Kings. We are here to represent Him. We are here to proclaim His message.

The Tension of Grief and Joy

We live in a tension. We grieve the brokenness of this world. We weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15). We feel the pain of injustice and loss. But simultaneously, we rejoice in the hope of restoration. This is the paradoxical life of the believer: sorrowful, yet always rejoicing (2 Corinthians 6:10).

The Future – What We Are Heading Toward

To set our minds on things above, we need to have a clear picture of our destiny. What awaits the believer?

The Return of Christ

The Bible promises that Jesus will return. He will come in glory, not as a suffering servant, but as the conquering King. This is the “blessed hope” of the Church (Titus 2:13).

The Resurrection of the Body

We will be raised with a glorified body, like Christ’s resurrection body (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). It will be a body that is imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual. It will be free from pain, sickness, and death.

The New Heavens and New Earth

God is not going to annihilate creation; He is going to redeem and restore it. There will be a new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells (Revelation 21:1). This is the restoration of all things (Acts 3:21).

The Final Judgment

The Bible speaks of a judgment where the righteous will be rewarded and the wicked will be punished. For the believer, this is not a judgment of condemnation (Romans 8:1), but a judgment of rewards (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). We will give an account of our lives, and our works will be tested by fire.

Eternal Fellowship with God

The ultimate hope of the believer is not just a place (heaven), but a Person. We will see God face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12). We will dwell in His presence forever. This is the beatific vision—the highest joy of heaven.

The Call to Set Your Mind

As we conclude, let us return to the command of Colossians 3:2. It is a call to action. It is a call to a different way of seeing the world.

The Choice: Every day, we are faced with a choice. Will we look down at the mud, or will we look up at the stars? Will we focus on the temporal, or will we focus on the eternal? Will we live for the applause of men, or the approval of God?

The Challenge: This is not a natural way to live. The pull of the earth is strong. The gravity of sin is real. The distractions of the world are loud. But we are not left to do this in our own strength. The Holy Spirit empowers us to set our minds on things above. He gives us the desire and the ability to obey.

The Encouragement: The things of this earth are fading away. They are like grass that withers and flowers that fade (1 Peter 1:24). But the Word of the Lord stands forever. Our hope is secure. Our future is bright. The best is yet to come.

So, set your mind.

• When you wake up, set your mind on the mercy of God.
• When you work, set your mind on serving the King.
• When you eat, set your mind on the feast to come.
• When you suffer, set your mind on the glory that awaits.

Prayer:
Father, I confess that I am often consumed with the things of this world. I get distracted by the noise, the stress, and the worries of daily life. Forgive me for being so earth-bound. Help me to lift my eyes to You. Help me to see the unseen. Fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I may set my mind on things above. Remind me that this world is not my home. Give me a pilgrim heart. Help me to live each day in light of eternity. May my life be a testament to the reality of Your Kingdom. I long for the day when I will see You face to face. Until then, help me to be faithful. In Jesus name amen