In all people there is a natural per-occupation with the immediate which is seen, as compared to the unseen future. This priority for many people has moved into and affected churches naming Christ. Some have given the thrust of their ministry over to living the good life now as if God’s primary purpose is to make us happy in the present. The premise of such a message is to tell people that if we have faith in Jesus, God will make our immediate life and circumstances easy. This is one of the reasons we can become devastated when tragedy strikes. However, our expectations must not be set upon a smooth ride. A careful reading of Scripture will show that all saints had great difficulties, and many obstacles to overcome. Their faith was tested in some cases beyond measure. We are about to move into a new year. We should ask ourselves, where would God have us focus our fundamental hopeful attention?

In Galatians, Paul says, “Christ gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age”(Gal. 1:4). When anyone is “born again” they are transferred into the kingdom of God. This is also what Scripture refers to as being strangers and aliens in our world. We often refer to the fact that Christians are in the world but not of the world. So that even though we exist in this world physically, spiritually we are even now citizens of heaven (Ephesians 2:6). We also know that Romans 12:2 commands us to, “Not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds.” We are to be those who yearn for and take-in God’s true Word! God’s Word will point us heavenly rather than earthly. The writer of Hebrews says, “Here we do not have a lasting city but are seeking the city which is to come” (Heb. 13:14).

Heavenly thinking is different and foreign to many who claim Christianity. Some of the more popular ministries attempt to embrace as much of the world and culture as possible without addressing the devastating role of evil. They rarely discuss sin and the difficulties that result from living in our fallen environment. Their efforts gloss over the reality of the damage of evil to falsely make Christianity into a happier life. This popular theology can affect us all. A critical personal evaluation should fill our minds as we ask ourselves – is the Bible’s true focus of faith clear within our minds? Or are we really having a love affair with the world and its thinking? God’s Word tells us to see this world as what it really is – pathetically antagonistic to God, to truth, to righteousness, and heading for inevitable destruction!  It is a place dominated by sin and its consequences. When Scripture discusses our separation from the world, it is not saying that we don’t have people we love here and enjoy and appreciate blessings. But we also know our world is desperately sick and can never be fixed by anything, or anyone but Christ and that at His second coming.

In Colossians 3:1, after addressing transforming theology, Paul brings all the defining of true relation with God through Christ into practical thinking. He says, “If you have been raised up with Christ keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” The idea of “keep seeking” is in the present active tense meaning we are to foster heavenly thoughts in such a manner that our life is lived out upon our new focus! That focus is first upon our Lord Jesus who is at the right hand of the Father. We are to please Him above all things. Additionally, our decisions are wrapped in the promises of Christ’s kingdom and our future glory, and our coming eternal presence with God.

When we were dead in sins, there was no spiritual battle! We were given over to the system of the world and its thinking according to Satan. But now it is the flesh against the spirit (Gal. 5:17). This is where we are in the immediate. If we are new creatures in Christ our hearts at their core are vexed by the world system immersed in sin and Christ rejection. We are also troubled by remaining sin in ourselves. We live by faith perplexed and also vexed. This is why we keep seeking the things above where Christ is seated. We view the world, people, and events through saved eyes with an eternal perspective. When we focus on the realities of heaven, we can then handle the situations of life. We become the overcomers spoken of by Christ in John 16:33.

As we face a new year with all the unknowns, we do so with a fixed confidence of knowing our Lord Jesus is at the right hand of the Father. He is controlling all things (Col. 1:17). He is also preparing to come to this world and set things right (Psalm 110:1). We need not to be anxious about a new year, but hopeful in Christ Jesus. We are to, “Keep seeking the things which are above.” We are to be, “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Heb. 12:2). God’s Word is from above and about our Lord Jesus. It is knowing and following God’s Word that gives us the mind of Christ, “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You” (Isaiah. 26:3).