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(Blue entries in the meditation are links; clicking on them will take you to the verse(s) in the New International Version; clicking on the other versions on that page will show the same verses in the version you selected. Occasionally links on my page are to another file of mine. On this page entries in green are the words of Scripture (NIV). If you wish to pursue your own study on issues raised or on the Scripture verses used try these links: The Online Study Library. The CBC Biblical Studies Library. An additional translation with many notes can be found at Net Bible.)

(Does It Matter If My Focus Is On The Things Above?)

By Cameron Paine 

My cereal box gives me advice. It says, 'Don't bet your health on it.' Don't bet your health on the assumption that you are getting sufficient nutrients. What we feed on makes a difference according to doctors and advertisers. They are concerned about how their services or products can make a difference to our physical bodies. What we feed on does make a difference doesn't it? Who can live on just candy? Who can live without food? What about God's 'advice'? What does God say is good for the welfare of his eternal children--those he has adopted and made citizens of heaven by means of Christ's self-sacrifice? What does God say believers should feed on? He says, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God." Then he explains his meaning further: "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Colossians 3:1-2)

Why should we set our hearts and minds on the 'things above'? Because they are worthy; they are divine; they are eternal. It is the purpose of this meditation to make the divine worthiness, the excellence, the eternal dimension of the 'things above' stand out. How?--by letting the words of God ring in my ears.

God in his word sends us the message: the 'things above' are important, indeed vital, to have embedded in our hearts and minds. There are different categories of verses which set forth this truth. It is the many ways God's words proclaim the everlasting 'worthwhileness' of the 'things above' that makes up the major part of this meditation.


 

The Incomparable Significance Of The 'Things Above'


1. The Worship Of The Holy God And The Worship Of Anything Else

One way God points out the uniqueness and importance of the 'things above' is by his declarations regarding their mutual exclusivity. The Bible states very clearly (in the Sermon on the Mount) "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (Matthew 6:24)

The mutual exclusivity of the 'things of this world' and the 'things above' is set forth in those many verses which speak of the impossibility of worshipping God while at the same time looking upon things of this world things as worthy of our devotion and worship. The Bible says, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world." (1 John 2:15-16)  On one occasion when many of the 5000 people Jesus had fed by a miracle followed Jesus physically he said to them, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill." (John 6:26) What clearer example is there of the difference between the 'things above', 'the things of God' and the things of this world than this!

Over and over again God points out that there is no overlapping or combining of the 'things above' with the things of this world. "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. [The very term idolatry means worship or service of an idol] Because of these, the wrath of God is coming." (Colossians 3:5-6) "You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." (James 4:4)

It was not me who said that 'No one can serve two masters.' It was (and is) God who said (says), "No one can serve two masters."

It is not godly to even consider what happens in this world and the 'things above' as comparable. The Bible says so. God's apostle (Paul) expressed it this way: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18) "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (2 Corinthians 4:17)

A second way God tells me that the 'things above' are in a class by themselves, that is, divine, transcendent, is by pointing out how totally opposed (different in character and value) are the things of this world and the 'things above'. The Christian life is not, and cannot be, a matter of tacking God's values and standards onto the life of a person who in his heart worships the idols of this world--which is anything other than God. (Because worshipping anything other than God is idolatry every unbeliever is necessarily doing this in either obvious or subtle ways). The values of the world and those of the Holy God can no more be mixed than oil and water. There is no common ground between the 'gods', the values the people of the world worship and the holy God who revealed himself to men in his written word, the Bible. (2 Corinthians 6:14-15,17; Isaiah 55:8-9)

God gave the apostle a 'thorn' in the flesh. At one time the apostle pleaded with God that he take the thorn away-but God didn't. First, the apostle Paul tells us of God's 'answer' to his pleadings--"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" Then Paul declares how that truth influenced his life and behavior, saying, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9)     How different are God's standards!

Yes, God's standards are different! (Isaiah 55:8-9) Any overlapping of the world's standards and God's standards (included in the 'things above') is an illusion--and a deception. Oil and water don't mix. The 'things above' are in a class by themselves, that is, divine, transcendent. They are worthy to be what we set our hearts and minds upon. No wonder that the all wise God tells us to set our hearts and minds upon the 'things above'! 

A third way God shows us why we should we set our hearts and minds on the things above' is by pointing out what makes the 'things above' so different from all other things. And what is that? --their unceasing or eternal 'worthwhileness.' God, his purposes, his power, his promised blessings are not temporary. They are not fleeting realities like dew on a hot sunny morning. What characterizes all these 'things above' is their everlasting quality; they don't change; they don't pass away. They 'partake' of God's eternal character. (2 Peter 1:3-4) That is what sets the 'things above' apart from everything else. That is what makes the 'things above' unique and of surpassing value. Who deliberately feeds on poison? Who lives on candy alone when what is more nourishing--food that lasts forever--is available?

The apostle Paul expresses the truth so clearly using an example from athletics (like the Olympics). "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." (1 Corinthians 9:25) That is what the issue is-a crown that does not decay and disappear with the passing of time. In the letter of the apostle Peter he refers to the same everlasting quality of what is in the believer's future--it is "an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:4)

It is because the 'things above' are eternal and divine (like God/Christ, his purposes, his plan, his power, his judgment, his promised blessings--the inheritance of eternal life) that there is a benefit or reward for setting our minds on the 'things above'--one that is experienced in this life. What is that benefit? --peace of heart and mind, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." (Isaiah 26:3) In the New Testament God's gift is described in these words--"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7) Through faith we who are believers "are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:5) It is because we know we are in his favor and under his everlasting protection that we have peace. (Hebrews 13:5-6; John 16:33; Romans 8:32, 35, 37-39; Jude 1:24)

Feed on these truths. Could you get anymore 'unceasing' than the truths set forth in these verses?

Looking at the 'things above' which are distinguished from the values of the world by their everlasting character, looking at their mutual exclusivity is just one way God teaches us about the 'value' of 'things above' and why believers should be setting their hearts on them and filling their minds with them.

Now let's look at other ways God teaches the value of the 'things above' and in so doing to spend more time dwelling among the words and teachings of our God.

2.There Are Consequences Of Not Feeding On Nutritious Food--On The 'Things Above

Consequences. That is another way God teaches us that the 'things above' are important, even vital. The bible teaches that there are consequences of the choices we make.

One way of looking at this issue is to say, 'Setting my heart on things above is not an option.' Why is it not an option? Because there are consequences of doing so or not doing so. Setting my heart on 'things above' is not an activity which can be ignored, safely ignored, that is. Something which can be safely ignored is something that can be ignored without bringing upon us any consequences. An example might be ignoring the sign which says 'Do Not Jump Off The 3000ft. Cliff'' and jumping off the cliff anyway--but not incurring any consequences such as getting killed or hurt. Another example would be ignoring the prompting ('advice') even of our own bodies and deciding not to eat or drink--but still not incurring the consequence of losing weight and eventually dying of starvation. When food is available eating or not eating physical food is a choice. But the consequences that follow the choice is not a choice. Is eating food a choice? Setting my heart on 'things above' is not a choice either. There are consequences of not doing so.

Are there not many, many, statements in God's word which speak of consequences, of God's day of judgment? Does not God give us many instructions, many commands which like road signs, warn us about where the route we are on is headed and what lies ahead on that route? Who that is on the wrong road arrives at the desired destination and also avoids what lies ahead on the wrong road?

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men." That is what the apostle Paul tells us. (2 Corinthians 5:10-11; see also Romans 14:10,12)

Not only is there a judgment at which I have to appear but the standards by which I will be judged will be God's standards of goodness and righteousness, not the world's standards of goodness or my own standards (if different from the world's).

God's 'Road Signs' 

That the consequences to an action do not appear immediately does not mean that there aren't any. The consequences of not eating physical food are relatively quick and apparent. But the consequences of not heeding God's commands do not always take effect immediately. Don't be fooled by the apparent absence of consequences. Don't be lulled into a false belief that your opinion is correct because no consequences have appeared. The Bible says, "When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong." (Ecclesiastes 8:11) The apostle Peter deals very directly with this issue--this reasoning that many unbelievers use to feel free to disregard God's warnings. "First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, 'Where is this "coming" he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.' But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief." (2 Peter 3:3-10)

The apostle Paul also teaches about God's purposes that are being carried out by the 'non-immediacy' of God's judgments: "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realising that God's kindness leads you towards repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed." (Romans 2:4-5)

Jesus employed a parable to teach us how to look at God's 'timetable'. Jesus said, "The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 24:50-51)

(To see more verses which reveal a scornful attitude towards God because his blessings and 'painful' sentences are not immediate refer to the file 'Not Immediate')

In many different verses God teaches us about the eternal value of the 'things above' by telling us that our choices do have consequences that are inevitable and that will last forever (whether or not we see any consequences now). But there are yet other kinds of teachings which convey this message about the eternal value of the 'things above'.

3. How Christians Should Respond

Another way God tells me about the eternal importance of the 'things above' (which is the reason I should be looking at them) is by his repeated reminders, his instructions to me. Are these instructions not intimately connected with the eternal purpose or goal for which God the Father sacrificed his Son (Jesus the Christ). It was God's Son, the Christ "who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." (Titus 2:14)

If this is what God did for me doesn't God deserve that much from me--to care about his opinions and to heed his exhortations?

Heeding God's opinions, conforming to his standards is not without desirable consequences: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)

Jesus' and the apostles' teachings on where Christians should be looking, on what their treasure should be certainly should be clear enough to convince any believer that God's 'things above' deserve our full attention.

4. From The Example Of Christ And Of Saints In The Old Testament

The example of Christ and of saints in the OT should be enough to tell me that looking to the fulfillment of God's plan is an important, indeed, the necessary thing to do.

It was the standards of God the Father, the plan of God the Father, the promises of God the Father that ruled in the heart of Jesus.

In the Old Testament we read Christ's own words: "I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." (Psalms 40:8) That these are the words of Christ is stated again in the New Testament, in Hebrews 10:5-7. When Jesus had come to earth on an occasion when Jesus' disciples were wondering if somebody unknown to them had brought Jesus food, "he said to them, 'I have food to eat that you know nothing about. My food,' said Jesus, 'is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." (John 4:32,34). On another occasion Jesus words were very pointed: "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me." (John 6:38; see also John 5:30; 8:50)

And that will of God, that purpose of God, required that Jesus look beyond his life on earth to see the fulfillment of the plan of God since Jesus knew that the bringing about of that purpose by his sacrificial death was the reason for which he had been sent into the world. (Acts 2:23; John 12:27; Philippians 2:5-9; Hebrews 2:14)

It was because of Jesus' looking ahead (to one of those realities included in the 'things above') that he is not only the fulfiller of God's plan but provides our purest example of a life grounded on faith: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:2-3)

It was the 'things above' that made up the holy standard that the saints of old considered true and so valuable that they lived by it. Hence it was to the 'things above' that they were looking. It was because they were looking to the fulfillment of God's promises that they behaved as they did.

"All these people [the people of faith spoken of in the preceding verses of Hebrews ch.11] were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.  People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." (Hebrews 11:13-16)

What could be clearer than God's statement about where Moses' heart was? The Bible says, "He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward." (Hebrews 11:26)

Below are more examples of how the behavior of God's saints was conditioned by their view of God and the history or destiny that God promised. The following quotes regarding the lives of particular saints who lived in Old Testament times are in historical order. But God's supplies a great review of these saints and many more in the 11th chapter of the book of Hebrews (from which the two preceding quotes were taken).

In a moment we will get to examples of how the behavior of saints living in New Testament times was conditioned by their recognition of the 'things above'. But first look at how the teachings of Jesus and his apostles speak about where his people should be looking.

5. From The Teaching Of Both Jesus And His apostles

The teaching of both Jesus and his apostles should be enough to tell me that looking to the fulfilment of God's plan is an important, indeed, the necessary thing to do.

The writer of the book of Hebrews states the importance of the Christian's vision bluntly: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1) The rest of that chapter illustrates how the Christian's vision guarded and guided the behavior of saints both named and unknown.

The apostle Peter sums up the importance of recognizing that the history the Bible reveals is not imaginary and that what God says is going to happen in the future is just as real and certain. Hear what the apostle says of people who scoff at God's promises and warnings: "They will say, 'Where is this "coming" he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.' But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men." (2 Peter 3:4-7)

A few verses later he repeats the warning and promise: "The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." (2 Peter 3:10-13)

How much emphasis God puts on the importance of looking to what lies ahead!

6.  From The Statements Of Saints Living In New Testament Times

I should learn from the statements of saints living in New Testament times that looking to the fulfillment of God's plan is an important, indeed, a necessary thing to do.

What does the author of Hebrews say about the people to whom he is writing? "You sympathised with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property." Why did they have this attitude toward the confiscation of their property? Answer: "because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions." (Hebrews 10:34)

Now let's move on to some of the many verses which illustrate that 'longing', that expectancy, that hope which pervades (or should be pervading) the thinking of genuine believers.

7. From the example of the saints in New Testament times

Over and over again by many different words and phrases we are told of where the saints of the New Testament 'were looking.' Over and over again by many different words and phrases we are told what destiny, what certain hope attracted their hearts and minds. That should should be enough to tell me that looking to the fulfillment of God's plan is an important, indeed, the necessary thing to do.

Perhaps before proceeding further the meaning of 'looking' as used in the phrase 'where the saints were looking' should be explained. It does not mean indifferent observation but a concerned interest as with an investment, as with what a person considers his or her treasure. One biblical example should suffice: "For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 2:21; see also Matthew 13:45) How well God knows us!

'Concerned interest'. This meaning is well expressed by the English word 'seeking'. But in the Bible as in English many other English words and phrases bring out this idea of concerned interest in the object of our dreams and desires. Common words and phrases that express this idea are 'searching for', 'looking for', 'waiting for (with anticipation)', 'setting your heart on', 'seeking', 'trying' or 'attempting' (=making efforts to bring about the result that was desired). All the terms or expressions show that what the saints were doing indicated more than an unemotional, indifferent turning of the eyes toward some impersonal object or irrelevant fact.  

The meanings of each of these words or expressions being basically the same often the verses could be listed equally well in categories other than where I chose to list them.

'waiting for' (with anticipation)

'searching for' or 'looking for' or 'seeking' or 'trying' 
      or exerting effort to obtain a desired result 

having your heart set upon

behaving in certain ways to achieve an objective

Where the saints were looking does not mean indifferent observation but a concerned interest. It is not just the eyes that are to be set on the 'things above' but the heart. That is what God is concerned with. (Hebrews 4:12; Proverbs 4:23; 1 Samuel 16:7) "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above." (Colossians 3:1)

A Brief Summary

How many ways God teaches us of the divine (holy & everlasting) virtue or value of the 'things above'--those things which he tells us to "set [our] hearts" upon, those "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)

His word tells us today about virtue or value of the 'things above' by teaching about the impossibility of serving two masters and by teaching about the incompatibility of this world's standards and the everlasting reality of God's standards--the 'things above'.

His word tells us today about virtue or value of the 'things above' by teaching us about the consequences of our choices-- feeding on what is poison (that which is passing away) or feeding on the eternal food above.

His word tells us today about virtue or value of the 'things above' by his commands about how his children should live, that is, what the eternal standard is that they should live by.

His word tells us about virtue or value of the 'things above' by recording where Christ and the saints in Old Testament times were looking with such steadfastness that their behavior was molded by it.

His word tells us today about virtue or value of the 'things above' by indicating repeatedly that the saints in New Testament times were looking with anticipation at God and his promises

Further Thoughts


The title of this meditation is, 'Does it matter if my focus is on the 'things above'? The body of the meditation dealt with some of the many different ways 'God in his word sends us the message: the 'things above' are important, indeed vital, to have embedded in our hearts and minds.' In the first section of the meditation the theme was the importance, the eternal value of the 'things above'. In this last section of the meditation the emphasis is on the importance of the embedding-- having the 'things above' embedded in our hearts and minds. In this last section of the meditation the theme is human behavior, how it reveals where our hearts are, and whether our hearts are where God says they should be.

Does it make any difference what my treasure is? Does it make any difference what I devote my attention to? Does it matter where we put the emphasis? Does it matter what our hearts and minds upon are set upon?

Human behavior. Who does not spend time thinking about what is important to him? Who does not spend time thinking about his 'treasure'--whatever his greatest value is? Who does not talk about whatever means a lot to him? If a person is expecting to get married in the very near future or to go on that vacation he has been looking forward to for many years doesn't his mind gravitate to those things; doesn't he think about these coming events and talk about them and, if necessary, make plans regarding them? (Matthew 22:11-13)

Is not what I care about the same thing that I pay a lot of attention to? Isn't your treasure--what is valuable to you-- something that absorbs a great deal of your time and attention? Is it not my 'treasure' that is at the center of my attention and care? Is not what I pay a lot of attention to that very thing that my heart is attracted by? Does not where we put the emphasis reveal where our heart is? Think of God's very pointed statement: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6.21) The things that I consider peripheral and not worthy of a lot of attention--do they get a lot of attention? Do the 'things above' fall into this category and consequently only come to mind on rare occasions as an after-thought? Do the 'things above only come to mind on occasions when nothing more important (to me) has taken all my attention and heart?

If, to you the 'things above' are peripheral matters, matters which may be looked into when nothing more important is claiming and taking your attention are they being recognized for what God says they are--most important truths and values? If God tells us to "set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God" is he considering the 'things above' as peripheral matters, as minor considerations?

'Does not where we put the emphasis show what we are concerned about'? We focus on what is important to us. That is the point. People do act this way. People focus on, think about, devote time to, what is meaningful to them. What is different about believers is not that they don't focus on what is meaningful to them. What is different about them is that what is meaningful to them is different, different from what is meaningful to unbelievers. What the heart of believers is set upon is different. What is meaningful to believers is the destiny, the inheritance that God promised to them--that is, to whoever believes (John 3:16; 1 Peter 1:13; 2 Peter 3:13-14; Hebrews 6:17)

Another truth to be considered is that 'head-knowledge' is not enough. Knowing of the existence of an inheritance is not enough. Knowing a fact is not the same thing as being moved by that knowledge. Knowing of the existence of a promise, knowing of an inheritance is not the same thing as being moved by that knowledge to the extent that it changes our behavior. (Acts 20:24; Philippians 3:7-8; 1 John 3:3; Genesis 39:7-9; Hebrews Ch.11) For example, knowing that Columbus reached the American continent in 1492 doesn't move us to change our behavior (unless were taking a school test). Knowing that the Empire State building weighs 303,000 tons doesn't change what our heart is attracted by (set on). 'Cold', 'abstract', knowledge is not enough. What God wants to see increase in us is the 'knowledge of delight'--increasing appreciation of him and his ways. He wants our hearts. Having knowledge in our heads about what is worthy and what should be our 'treasure' is not enough to change what we already have our heart set on. Having the correct head-knowledge is not the same thing as having our hearts set on the 'things above'. Be warned! For our 'knowledge' of God, our knowledge of his promises, our knowledge of the 'things above', to be what God wants it to be it must issue in godly behavior, in the godly response. The truth that being aware of our inheritance must be more than 'head-knowledge' is clearly shown in the statements, in the lives and behavior of Jesus the Christ and the saints--which God's word has provided a record of for our benefit.

"See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God" (who did so much for us). (Hebrews 3:12) Who are we frail creatures who are infected to our roots by sin to decide that deliberately setting aside the holy God's commands and instructions is not a manifestation of unbelief? Who are we who are such mere creatures full of sin to decide not to accept God for what he is--holy, all knowing and all powerful? (Galatians 6:8;Matthew 10:28) To try to fool God or to trifle with his statements and standards is to play with fire--eternal fire. (Revelation 20:13-15; the same terrible destiny is sometimes described as eternal darkness or separation from God) "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:12-13 See also 1 Peter 1:13-16; Luke 9:25-26; 12:15,20-21) Trifling with God and his ways is not what Jesus and the saints of old did. They did not live believing they could get by while deliberately setting aside God's command to 'set their hearts and minds on the things above'. (Hebrews 12:2; 11:13-16; 12:1)

God says, "But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." (Hebrews 10:38) "Let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,  for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" (Hebrews 12:28-29) "Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience." (Hebrews 4:11) Are we making every effort if we are not setting our hearts and minds on the 'things above' as God commands us to do?

The Bible addresses these truths to believers: "The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him." (2 Peter 3:10-14)

Are we making every effort if we are not setting our hearts and minds on the 'things above' as God commands us to do? "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20)  Does it matter if my focus is on the 'things above' instead of the things that are passing away? God says 'Yes'.

(If you appreciate what you read here please tell your friends about this URL and sign my guest book on the homepage. Also, if, as you read any of the meditations, you feel you know of a situation that beautifully illustrates any of the points made I would be delighted to learn of it. I might incorporate it. mailto:camppp21355@comcast.net

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