Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

Colossians 3:1-5

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Colossians 3:1-5 contains some of the most beautiful and profound truths about the Christian life. But there are two that stick out to me today.

First, consider the remarkable reality when Pauls says, “We have been raised with Christ.” 

The number of times Paul uses this phrasing in his writings makes me think this isn’t just a spiritual metaphor; it’s a life-changing reality.

To those who have placed their faith in Jesus, we have already been raised with Christ!

This is a life-changing truth when we begin to realize that this world is not our home, we are already seated with Christ in the heavens.

Consider what that means. Consider what our home must be like. Just try to picture the splendor in the divine throne room of God. 

We live in a home with no sadness. Not an ounce of pain or anxiety. There is no waiting to hear the test results from a doctor’s visit. Never again will we hear the words, “I have bad news.” 

There are no tears of sorrow. No broken relationships, no failures, no insecurity, no fear. Can you imagine living a life with no fear?

Instead, the entire realm is filled with beauty, majesty, and glory. It has been cleansed of every defect. There is no hint of sin or its effect anywhere to be found. 

Sin has been defeated, the fall has been reversed, death has lost its sting, salvation has been accomplished, every knee bows, every tongue confesses and Christ reigns unchallenged!

Oh, what a glorious, magnificent reality concerning our present location.

With that as the backdrop, Paul tells us “Set your mind on things above.”

The Spirit is telling us that if we have already been raised with Christ and are already present with Him in this glorious heaven, then we should value the very things of God that are championed in his throne room more than the things and worries of this world. 

A.W. Tozer once said, “The most valuable thing that you can do with your life is to spend it getting to know God. Your view of God is the most important thing about you. And no time spent getting to know Him is ever wasted.” 

Knowing God isn’t a passive, one-time event; it’s an ongoing journey of discovery, growth, and deepening love. And we should do it every single day.

Let this truth and exhortation challenge you. Seek out God today. Through church attendance, prayer, worship, the Bible, and Christian writings (like this one).

These aren’t spiritual obligations. They are the pathways to fully appreciating and walking in the reality and promise of “being raised with Christ.”

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Prayer

God, give me a passion for you today. Regardless of the circumstances, trials, or worldly temptations that surround me today and every day, may I always work to set my mind on things above. Especially today, and especially now. Amen.