Perhaps as a Christian you have felt the sting of a common rebuke: “Christians are so heavenly minded they are of no earthly good.” I like CS Lewis’ response in Mere Christianity: “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. . . . It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this”. Paul’s thoughts on the matter are equally clear:
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)
What did Paul propose our response to be if we “seek the things that are above”? Interestingly, such “heavenly-mindedness” ought to result in Christians that put to death their old ungodly ways (v5) and put on, “compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience … and above all these put on love.” (vv12,14) All of these consequential attributes serve us and others in our living right now. He closes this section saying, “whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (v17)”
As we conclude our e-bulletin series concerning our Statement of Faith, what do we believe regarding the most pressing concerns of the “things to come”: the judgement of our lives? We believe in the ultimate resurrection of all souls. Those whose life is “hidden with Christ”, in other words trusting in his sacrificial saving work, will live eternally with him in glory. Those whose faith is in their own works will live in eternal conscious punishment in hell.
19th century Church of Scotland pastor Robert Murray McCheyne, established a habit of “giving the eye the habit of looking upward all the day” He began his day “in heaven” knowing that if he didn’t start there, it was highly unlikely he would drift there later! We can do likewise by following Jesus’ model of prayer:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9–10)
This Easter weekend, as we commemorate Jesus’ death, and celebrate his resurrection, may it inspire you to consider your “heavenly-mindedness”. Ultimately, keeping our eyes focused on the things above is not merely longing for a better situation for us circumstantially, but recognizing (and practicing for) the day when we shall see him as he is and we will be like him (cf: 1 John 3:2). Glory to God!
Much love,
Pastor Gary
