Chiamaka NwekeBible Verse: Colossians 3:1–2
Focus: Shifting our focus from temporary earthly concerns to heavenly values.
Time is a strange companion. We feel it slipping through our fingers, yet we cannot hold it. We try to manage it, maximize it, and make the most of it, yet it always seems to be running out. There is an inherent discomfort we have with time because, as one writer has noted, “we weren’t created to be caged by it. Our hearts were made for more”. This longing for something beyond the ticking clock is a divine echo of eternity planted in every human heart.
The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Colossae, addresses this deep-seated longing with a powerful call to reorient our entire lives. He writes, “Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:1-2). This is not a command to escape reality but to see it correctly. It is an invitation to shift our focus from the temporary, fading concerns of this world to the eternal, unshakable realities of God’s Kingdom.
This article explores the profound implications of living with an eternal perspective. We will examine the biblical foundation of this mindset, understand what it means to “set our minds on things above,” and discover how this eternal focus transforms our daily lives, our relationships, and our response to suffering.
The Foundation: Understanding the “Therefore”
To grasp the weight of Paul’s command, we must understand the “therefore.” It is a bridge connecting the theological truths of the first two chapters of Colossians to the practical application of chapters 3 and 4. Paul has just spent two chapters defending the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. He is the image of the invisible God, the Creator of all things, and the head of the church. Through His death on the cross, Christ has reconciled believers to God, canceling the record of debt that stood against us (Colossians 2:13-14). Because of these truths—because we are “raised with Christ”—we are to live in a way that reflects our new identity and our heavenly citizenship.
The Implications of Our Resurrection
Paul uses the language of resurrection to describe the believer’s position. While our physical bodies have not yet been glorified (1 Corinthians 15), we are positionally raised with Christ. United to Him by faith, we are already seated with Him in the heavenly places. This is not just a future hope but a present reality. We have been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13).
This positional truth is the foundation for the command to seek the things above. We do not strive to earn a place in heaven; we strive because we are already citizens of it. We do not chase after earthly things to find our identity; we look to Christ, who is our life.
The Focus of the Believer
The Greek word for “strive” in verse 1 is zēteite, which implies a persistent, active pursuit. It is not a passive hope but an intentional seeking. The object of our pursuit is “the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” As one source explains, the “things above” are not abstract or mystical ideas; they are “realities in the history of salvation”. They refer to the age of Christ and His kingdom, which is marked by sinlessness, righteousness, and peace. To seek these things is to desire to see Christ’s rule extended in our lives and in the world.
In verse 2, Paul adds another dimension: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” The Greek word for “set your minds” is phroneite, which speaks of a mindset, a disposition, a habitual way of thinking. It is the discipline of deliberately choosing what we will think about, value, and prioritize. This is the practice of allowing the reality of eternity to shape our perspective on everything else.
The Contrast: Earthly Things vs. Heavenly Things
Paul draws a sharp contrast between “things above” and “things on earth.” Understanding this contrast is essential for cultivating an eternal perspective.
What are “Earthly Things”?
The phrase “earthly things” does not refer to the physical world God created, which He declared to be good. It refers to the fallen, self-centered values of the world system. This includes the desires of the flesh, the desire for material possessions, the pride of life, and the pursuit of status and power. As one commentary explains, earthly things are “the distractions of the natural realm” that have “only temporal value”.
Living with a focus on earthly things means chasing after what is seen, temporary, and ultimately unsatisfying. It is building a life on sand that will be washed away by the tide. It is storing up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy. It is allowing the concerns of this life to choke the word of God in our hearts.
What are “Things Above”?
Heavenly things are the eternal realities of God’s Kingdom. They are the values, priorities, and pursuits that are rooted in the character of God and the work of Christ. This includes the pursuit of holiness, love, and righteousness. It is storing up treasures in heaven by investing in what lasts forever—the salvation of souls, the deepening of our relationship with God, and the expression of Christlike love.
Living with a focus on heavenly things does not mean neglecting earthly responsibilities; it means approaching them with a different mindset. As one source explains, “Living with an eternal perspective reshapes your view of the world and your role within it… You approach them with a heavenly mindset. Your work, relationships, and daily activities become opportunities to glorify God and advance His kingdom”.
The Danger of Misplaced Focus
The reason we are commanded to set our minds on things above is that our hearts naturally gravitate toward earthly things. The pull of the world is powerful. Jesus warned, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). If we invest our time, energy, and resources in what is temporary, our hearts will become attached to this world. But if we invest in what is eternal, our hearts will be drawn toward heaven.
The Transforming Power of an Eternal Perspective
Living with an eternal perspective is not just a theological concept; it is a practical reality that transforms every aspect of our lives. It does not eliminate the difficulties of life, but it gives us the strength and perspective to navigate them.
1. It Changes Our Priorities
When we view life through the lens of eternity, our priorities shift. Earthly achievements, possessions, and even struggles lose their grip on us. We are less likely to be consumed by the pursuit of material success or the anxiety of daily troubles. Instead, we seek what pleases God and invest in what lasts forever. As one devotional puts it, by shifting our focus “from the temporary to the eternal—from fleeting pleasures to lasting treasures—you begin to live in a way that reflects your heavenly citizenship and naturally prioritize God’s kingdom above all earthly matters”.
2. It Changes How We Handle Trials
An eternal perspective transforms how we face suffering. While trials may still bring us pain, we view them through the lens of eternity. We recognize that our “present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). This perspective gives us hope and endurance, knowing that God uses every situation to mold us and prepare us for eternal glory. As Paul himself wrote, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17). This is not a minimization of pain but a reframing of it within a larger, eternal context.
3. It Changes Our Relationships
When we live with an eternal perspective, our relationships take on new meaning. We love and serve others, not just for their sake but as an expression of our love for God. We become more forgiving, patient, and compassionate because we understand that people are eternal beings, and our interactions with them have eternal consequences. This perspective compels us to share the gospel, to encourage one another, and to treat every person as a soul made in the image of God.
4. It Changes Our Inner Life
An eternal perspective enriches our inner life and aligns us more closely with God’s will. We live with a sense of purpose and hope that transcends our circumstances. We are freed from the tyranny of keeping up appearances and the relentless pursuit of happiness through consumption. Instead, we find our identity and security in Christ alone.
Practical Steps to Cultivate an Eternal Perspective
How can we practically live out Paul’s command to set our minds on things above? Here are some steps to cultivate this perspective daily.
1. Keep Your Eyes on Christ
The “things above” are ultimately centered on Christ. He is seated at the right hand of God, and He is our life. To set our minds on things above is to fix our gaze on Jesus. This means cultivating a daily relationship with Him through prayer, Scripture, and worship. It is the practice of looking to Him as our example, our source of strength, and our ultimate reward.
2. Meditate on Scripture
The Bible is the primary means by which God reveals heavenly realities to us. It is the “lamp to our feet and a light to our path” (Psalm 119:105). Saturation in Scripture renews our minds and aligns our thoughts with God’s priorities. As we read the Word, we are reminded of God’s promises, His character, and His redemptive plan. This shapes our worldview and helps us to see our lives from an eternal perspective.
3. Invest in What Lasts
We store up treasures in heaven by investing our time, talents, and resources in what has eternal significance. This includes our giving to the work of the Lord, our service to others, our efforts to share the gospel, and our investment in relationships. When we use our resources for God’s Kingdom, we are making a deposit in heaven that will never fade.
4. Live with Hope
Hope is the anchor of the soul. We are saved by hope. We live with the confident expectation that Christ will return and that we will be with Him forever. This hope is not a vague wish but a certainty grounded in the promises of God. When we live with hope, we are empowered to endure hardship with joy, and we are motivated to live in a way that is pleasing to God.
5. Embrace the “One Thing” Practice
As one devotional suggests, a simple practice can help cultivate an eternal perspective: affirm, “I choose to set my mind on things above, embracing an eternal perspective that shapes my values, priorities, and actions. I trust in God’s promises and live for His glory”. This daily declaration serves as a reminder of our identity and purpose.
The Call to the Eternal
The call to “set your minds on things above” is one of the most important and challenging commands in Scripture. It is a call to see our lives through the lens of eternity, to prioritize the invisible over the visible, and to live as citizens of heaven in a world that is passing away. This is not a call to neglect our earthly responsibilities but to transform them into acts of worship, to approach every task and every relationship as an opportunity to glorify God and advance His Kingdom.
Living with an eternal perspective does not make life easy, but it makes it meaningful. It gives us hope in the midst of suffering, purpose in the face of uncertainty, and peace that surpasses all understanding. It frees us from the anxiety of chasing after the wind and enables us to invest our lives in what truly matters.
As Paul wrote, “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:4). This is the glorious hope that makes our present struggles bearable and our eternal future certain. Let us fix our eyes on that hope, let us set our minds on things above, and let us live each day as citizens of a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. For we were not made for time alone; we were made for eternity.
Chiamaka Nweke