Priorities

Colossians 3:1–2 ESV

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Paul begins this Chapter with an “If—Then” Statement.

Essentially— if you are a Christian then the following.

Let’s look at how Paul gets here before we dive into the text: flip back to Col. 2:12

Colossians 2:12 ESV

12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Let’s unpack what Paul is saying and then what we and the church at Colossae would have understood—therefore, what we should do because of what Paul wrote.

Desire What is Holy!

Colossians 3:1 (ESV)

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

This verb carries quite a few meanings in the text of Scripture, but in our context it is most often translated “seek”. But the focus is to draw in close to Christ. It is the all three of these ideas in one.

Seek — pursue Christ!

Look for— a grasp of what the Christian life is to look like!

Desire — Set your heart on Christ

Mark 7:15 ESV

15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”

Jesus said it this way:

Matthew 6:33 ESV

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

This idea focuses on the heart.

The heart that seeks the one worthy.

Colossians 3:1 (ESV)

1 “...seated at the right hand of God.

Mark 14:62 ESV

62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

This is the idea that the Father found Jesus worthy. The right hand is a position of honor.

Meditate On The Eternal!

Colossians 3:2 (ESV)

2 Set your minds on things that are above...

The verb in this verse has the word mind in it.

If we focus in here…we grasp that this verse differs from the first in desire verses understanding.

Philippians 2:5 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Flee The Immoral!

Colossians 3:2 (ESV)

2 “...not on things that are on earth.

Colossians 3:5–7 ESV

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.

Colossians 3:8 ESV

8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Walking Away, But In...

Set Your Heart On Christ!

Focus Your Mind on Christ!

Flee Even the Appearance of Evil!