Friday 15 Jun 2012

Friday Reading: Colossian 3:1-4

Key Verse: Colossians 3:2
2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Devotion:
As observed in the previous chapter we know that the Apostle recognised the fact that the local church knew that they were dead with Christ – in other words they knew that because of the death on the cross they were free from the death penalty due from their sins. So the apostle now reminds them that because of that knowledge of them being dead with Christ, they should now be free with Him because of the fact that Christ beat death and rose from the grave after His burial just as planned.

Because of that knowledge we, like them, have to look forward to things in the future and not look back at things from the past. Christ did not look back but rather looked forward to what was to come rather than what had been. We need to follow that example and look forward to what is ahead for us as well. Christ beat death and rose from the dead; because of that we know that we have beaten death because of His promise toward us. So we need to focus on our future with Christ in heaven and not to look backward or to our very short future here on earth. Yes we need to look to what we can do for Christ but we need to focus on what we are doing toward our heavenly rewards and life with Christ after our life here on earth.

We don’t need to spend our time trying to build up treasures on earth so that we can live a life of comfort on earth; what we need to be doing is trying to build towards a fruitful life with Christ in heaven throughout eternity. What use is building up qualities on earth that will only last until the time that Christ Himself calls us home? What use is an earthly treasure that cannot be taken with us to heaven?

Our love for Christ should be shown not just as a full and enjoyable life on earth but as a concerted effort in building up toward a life in heaven. What use is an example of living a good life on earth when we should be setting an example of living for our future in heaven? What good is setting an earthly example when we are trying to tell others about focusing on a heaven life of eternity with Christ? Our life should reflect the goals that we are aiming toward and not just an example of how we should live on earth. Our aim should not be to build up treasures that others can see but to aim for a life with Christ at the time of His calling and not when we want it to happen. We do not know when we shall be called to be with Him.

Points to Ponder:
Are you aiming at a good earthly life?

Or are you aiming at showing people that eternity is real?