SEEKING GODLY THINGS (COL 3: 1-4)

SEEKING GODLY THINGS (COL 3: 1-4):

Paul writes to the Colossians to remind them about their calling and set up their minds on the heavenly things. Paul writes that if then they have been raised with Christ, they shall seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. They shall set their minds on things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. The Colossians had received Christ and believed in the new life after repentance and reconciliation with God. Paul just reminds them and wants them to realize themselves and uses a conditional clause. Anyone who claims himself to be dead to sins and raised to live a Godly life, needs to seek their thoughts and attitude on the Godly things, by taking Christ as a good role model and example. They shall not just seek Godly things but also determine their minds to follow the worthy things that are of higher Godly values, not on things that are widely practiced by human beings which would temporarily gratify them.

Paul then writes that they should seek the things of higher values and set their minds on it, for they had died and their life is hidden with Christ in God. Every person who had accepted Jesus as the personal savior had died for the sins and the selfishness, with the past life gone. The person who is committed to Jesus has surrendered his life completely to Him and he strives hard to follow the Godly principles and standards irrespective of the limitations and weaknesses.

And Paul conveys that when Christ who is their life appears, then they also will appear with Him in glory. The life that we live on earth is just the preparation to be part of an eternal world. Christ who is risen and reigning the whole world will soon appear to be the righteous judge for bringing every deed of each and every one into judgment. All the people who had died and who were living will appear for judgment before the Lord. And those who had lived a righteous life with God would also appear with Christ and receive the reward for their good works.

Stimulations for Self-Reflection: 

1.      What the author says to seek? Why?

2.      What are those things that are above?

3.      On what does the author say to set the minds? Why?

4.      Why the author mentions the recipients as they have died?

5.      How the believers’ life is hidden with Christ in God?

6.      When Christ appears what happens?

7.      How we can seek the things are of higher value?

8.      How we can set our minds on heavenly things?

How our life can be hidden with Christ in God?