Meditation for Monday
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1
One of the stores at which we occasionally shop sends out advertising flyers that list merchandise that is on sale. Occasionally, those sales include excellent prices for various tools. My wife reads those flyers faithfully, and often points out to me some of those tools that are on sale. One such bargain was a set of mechanic’s wrenches. I reminded her than I did not need any more wrenches. Awhile later, she pointed out to me that the wrenches were on sale for one-quarter of their regular price. She said they were a great bargain. Again, I reminded her that, even at 75 percent off, those tools would be a waste of money because I did not need them and would never use them. I also suggested that it was a waste of time looking at things we had no intention of buying. It is just as much a waste of time and money for Christians today to be exploring things that have no relevance for the people of God. And there is great value in exploring things that are relevant to our salvation and our glorious future.
Our neighbours to the south are immersed in an election year, and many Christians get caught up in the excitement. Politics is a field that seems to offer such hope of making changes to our world, if only we could get the right people elected to office. But as Doug MacLeod frequently reminds me, our Man is already in office, and He is never going to be impeached or defeated. 2 Timothy 2:4 reminds us that a good soldier does not entangle himself in the affairs of this life. A good soldier faithfully serves his master; so serving Christ should be our objective, not trying to straighten out this hopelessly messed up world. Christians can often get involved in service clubs and other organizations that promise to ‘make a difference’ in their communities. But as the Lord’s people, we need to refrain from involvement in such groups, instead seeking to help those around us in ways that will bring them within the sound of the gospel that they need.
Seeking those things which are above is a term that is broad enough to keep every Christian busy and happy in exploring. This term covers such grand themes as the furtherance of the gospel, the edification of the saints, the support of the Lord’s servants, the study of the Word of God, the prayer and supplication for the Christians, the exploration of prophetic truths, and many more. The next verse tells us to set our affections on things above. If we get our heart involved in these things, we will have no time for the affairs of this world.
Our resurrection with Christ has brought us into a wonderful sphere where the things of Heaven and our Lord are our highest occupation. -Jim MacIntosh