Set Your Sights On Heaven

Colossians 3:1–4 NLT

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

What do you do when you are going to a fancy restaurant? You imagine what it is going to be like. What will the atmosphere be? How will people dress?

Earlier this year I threw a surprise birthday party for my wife. I was telling her that us and another couple that we have been friends with a long time were going to this fancy restaurant. So leading up to it we went went shopping and found a new dress. I had her really do her hair up nice.

She kept on asking me how fancy was this restaurant we were going too? Would she be overdressed? Of course I knew exactly what I wanted her to dress like because I was the one in charge of this party.

This is just like us and Jesus. Jesus know exactly what the place looks like. He knows exactly what the atmosphere is. He knows what He wants us to look like for that great day that He takes us as His bride.

In this life our daily thoughts should be on what heaven is.

Do I mean we need to stare into the sky or dream all day about heaven? No. But we need to understand that what we are doing down here affects our future.

2 Corinthians 11:2 NLT

For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ.

How many of you have ever heard that you, the church, is the bride of Christ?

If you have given your life to him then you are His bride.

How do you envision a bride? Beautiful, white unstained dress, hair all made up walking down an isle to lovely music.

We don’t think of a bride any other way and neither did Christ. Look at what Paul tells us.

Ephesians 5:25–27 NLT

For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.

Christ gave up His life for you.

So that you can be holy and clean.

He did it so you could be presented to him without spot or wrinkle or any other belmishes.

The sad thing is today many say “Live like you want as long as you ask Jesus into your heart you are fine.”

Is this what these verses in Ephesians say?

It looks like the answer is no.

Lets go back to Colossians and continue.

Ephesians 3:5–10 NLT

God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets. And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News. Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

Colossians 3:12–15 NLT

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.