Young Adults' Group

Faith To Seek The Things Above

by Pastor Mark
February 25, 2016

Faith to see the spiritual realm

The example of Abraham inspires us to see things from the standpoint of faith. Abraham’s faith caused him to look beyond this earthly world to a greater reality…that of a heavenly city whose maker and builder was God. (Heb 11:10) His faith caused him to live in tents rather than to build a permanent city for his family and his descendants to live in. Instead, he sought to wait for the time when he will enter the heavenly city. Let us be challenged by the example of the faith of Abraham to look to the spiritual realm.

A similar faith

The Apostle Paul had a similar faith as the faith of Abraham. He used the faith of Abraham as an example concerning what genuine faith is…one that accounted for righteousness. (Rom 4:3) The focus of Paul’s faith was on the Lord Jesus Christ. His faith was one in which he could totally identify himself with Christ.

Identifying with Christ

“If then you were raised with Christ,…” (Col 3:1)

Paul wrote to the Colossian about identifying with Christ. If we have faith, we are meant to be identified with His circumcision, burial and resurrection. (Col 2:11-13) In identifying with the Lord’s resurrection, there are ramifications for us to follow through with. Paul wrote this as a conditional sentence that speaks of a reality. If we have been raised with Christ and it is a fact, then these ramifications will follow through for our lives.

Ramification of our identification with Christ

What are some of these ramifications?

1. Seek those things above

“Seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.” (Col 3:1)

The word “seek” was written in the imperative. This seeking is something that must continue. We are to seek the things above which are in heaven. If we are identified with the resurrection of Christ, we are to seek Him who is sitting on the right hand of God. He is our High Priest who intercedes on our behalf. He is our King who reigns on high. We should not be seeking the things of this world. Let us cultivate our faith to seek the things above…to seek after Christ.

2. Set our mind on things above

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col 3:2)

“Set your mind” was also written in the imperative. Our mind is where we do our thinking. Our thinking must also be focused on things above and not the things of the earth. We should not be focused on our work, family and the physical things of life only. Let us apply our faith and choose to set our mind on things above…on the Lord Jesus Christ.

A word of thanksgiving

This is the 100th article that I have written over the course of these two years. I thank God for His grace in helping me to write each week. Thank you all for your support and encouragement these two years. It has been a joy in sharing my thoughts and reflections from the Lord’s Word. I look forward to another year of writing Grace Works for the blessing of all.

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