Seek The Things Above

Uplook – May 2019 — Grace & Truth Magazine

Seek The Things Above

In order to understand the Epistle to the Colossians we must know the Epistle to the Romans and the Epistle to the Ephesians . Romans shows us how God solved the problem of sin for the believer based on the Lord’s work at Calvary. Ephesians reveals that which God has given us as a completely new thing on the basis of Calvary through the resurrection of Christ . Ephesians begins in its teaching where Romans stops. Colossians is on the threshold between the two. It puts one hand on the Epistle to the Romans and tells the believer that he has died with Christ, and it puts its other hand on the Epistle to the Ephesians and shows the believer that he has been raised with Christ. This is the great subject of the Epistle to the Colossians .

Colossians falls into two parts. The first two chapters tell us the doctrine, and the last two chapters tell us of the practical matters. Both are important for the believer. There are people who only want to know about doctrine and who do not place any emphasis on the practical walk. This is like a man who has only bones but no flesh; he is a skeleton. There are also Christians who only want practical matters and put no emphasis on doctrine. This is like a man who has only flesh but no bones. Both doctrine and practical matters are important, but the doctrine comes first; then the practical walk comes out of the doctrine. Paul demonstrated this in his letter to the Colossians in a very systematic way.

Two Great Truths
If therefore ye have been raised with the Christ, seek the things which are above, where the Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God: have your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth; for ye have died, and your life is hid with the Christ in God. When the Christ is manifested who is our life, then shall ye also be manifested with Him in glory. —Colossians 3:1-4 JND

Paul, in Colossians 3:1-11, showed the two great truths of Christian practice:

1. “Seek the things which are above.”
2. “Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth” (v.5).

I believe that what Paul had before him here was not the matter of looking on to the glorified Christ – the great objective in 2 Corinthians 3 – but the means to search out the thoughts of our Lord Jesus Christ in view of the practical walk down here. These thoughts are entirely opposed to those on earth, the philosophies that are developed here by unbelievers. We should not be guided by philosophies of this world. Instead, our Christian walk should be led by the thoughts of Christ.

A little story might illustrate this valuable point. A father passed a field of melons with his little son and the father said, “Son, stay on the road here and look left and right while I go into the field and steal a melon. Let me know if anybody comes.” After he went into the field, the boy suddenly shouted, “Father, shall I also look upward?” The father turned around and said, “Let’s leave it.” This is the example that illustrates what it means to seek those things which are above.

Consider two words Paul used in our portion in Colossians: “seek” and “have.” These are not exactly the same; there is a progression. Seeking means to search out the thoughts of Christ, who is above. Having your mind on those things means to habitually think the thoughts of Christ. When, for example, a man moves to where another language is spoken he must try to learn it. This may cause a problem for a few months, but after two or three months he can get by more or less; he understands the new language but may still think in the old one. Suddenly, however, he makes the experience that he does not only understand it, but he also thinks in it. This is the meaning of “setting your mind on”; we have learned to think in Christ’s thoughts habitually in relation to the practical Christian walk.

The apostle Paul wanted to demonstrate that Christ’s thoughts are important because they are the thoughts of the One who sits at God’s right hand. To do this he gave two reasons. Firstly he said, “You are already heavenly people.” Even though we still live on the earth we are already characterized by what is heavenly, because “our life is hid with the Christ in God.” This is why we think in His thoughts.

The second reason is that the day will come when we will appear with Christ in glory, and then all will see that we are really heavenly people. When I tell the people in my little village this they laugh at me; they say, “We do not see a difference; you age and get sick like us.” However, they will see that I am a heavenly person when I appear with the Lord Jesus in glory. “Seek the things which are above,” because already now you are heavenly people as far as your character is concerned, and one day you will appear as heavenly people. This is the first great principle of Christian practice. The second principle is in verse 5 of the next portion.

Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanness, vile passions, evil lust, and unbridled desire, which is idolatry. On account of which things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. In which ye also once walked when ye lived in these things. But now, put off, ye also, all these things, wrath, anger, malice, blasphemy, vile language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, having put off the old man with his deeds, and having put on the new, renewed into full knowledge according to the image of him that has created him; wherein there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is everything, and in all. —Colossians 3:5-11

The philosophies of this world have an ally in the believer; it is sin, which still dwells in us. The way unbelievers behave and live is always based on the sin dwelling inside them, but even for the believer there is the danger that this indwelling sin may produce branches. This is the meaning of the members here. They show us that with the believer there is always the danger that the indwelling sin might produce outward sin, or branches, in the daily walk. So Paul said, “Put to death these members.”

I would like to explain what this means. Firstly, as a preventative measure Paul wanted to bring about the consciousness of sin in us. There is a brother in our local assembly who often says in his prayers, “We are conscious tonight that we have brought with us our indwelling sin.” We are always in danger of following the impulses of this sin. Secondly, once such a branch has occurred we must confess this sin before God and, if necessary, before men. Thirdly, if the same sin occurs in our life again and again, we must think about the sources from where this comes and perhaps change something fundamental in our lives.

A grafted tree consists of two things: the wild trunk with its branches and the refined branch grafted into that trunk. It is the task of the gardener to cut down the branches that originate in the wild trunk, otherwise the grafted branch will not prosper. This picture shows us the meaning of mortifying the members, the cutting off of the wild sprouts which stem from the sin that dwells within us. The best time for doing this is when the wild sprout is still very thin and small – you can simply take the scissors and cut it off. However, if you wait even just a couple of years, you need a saw. This is what it is like in the Christian’s practical life, so “put to death your members which are on the earth.”

Paul then showed what these sprouts are, and he provided arguments as to why we should put them to death. The first argument is that these are bad – terrible things. Because of them “the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” The apostle wanted to make it plain to us that these wild branches are abhorrent in the eyes of God. The second argument is that the believer knows that in his life there is a “once” and a “now.” Once we were people for whom these wild branches would have been normal, but they are not normal anymore. Third, he reminds us of the day of our conversion, when we put off the old man and put on the new man. Paul said, “Do not forget this day.”

The old man produced old branches before conversion, but the new man produces completely new things, and these are according to the image of the One who produces the new man: God. Who is the image of God? Christ is the one. The new man produces things which are in harmony with Christ. Paul wrote: “There is no difference.” For the believer there are no differences, there is only one name, and Christ is who is “all in all.” This is the character of the new man: he has Christ as his aim and objective.

So the two great truths of Christian practice are to first “seek the things which are above” and then “put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth.” We can practice these two principles in four areas.

Areas Of Practice
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any should have a complaint against any; even as the Christ has forgiven you, so also do ye. And to all these add love, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of Christ preside in your hearts, to which also ye have been called in one body, and be thankful. Let the word of the Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another, in psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God. And everything, whatever ye may do in word or in deed, do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by Him. —Colossians 3:12-17

The first area in which we can practice these principles is among believers. Christian practice comes to bear in the Christian circle. In order for us to be able to apply these principles, Paul mentioned the important truth that, first of all, believers have to be in the enjoyment of their Christian position. He mentioned three facts: we are elect, sanctified and beloved. We stand in this very consciously. Practice proceeds from this position.

Paul then listed the things produced by the new man, sometimes referred to as “the seven flowers of the new man.” The first one is compassion, which is being able to sympathize one with another; the second is kindness; third, lowliness; fourth, meekness; fifth, longsuffering. This is what can be displayed in the Christian circle. But in it there are weak believers, and we need to forbear one with another – the sixth point. Also, sins do occur when believers are together, and naturally we cannot bear or tolerate the sin. Being believers, however, we want to forgive them; this is the seventh point, forgiving one another.

I do not speak about this seventh point in a light-hearted way, for when believers live and walk together there are sometimes difficulties. We may be deeply hurt in our heart by something a brother or a sister does, and we say, “I cannot forgive this.” We cannot of ourselves; but we can when we realize how much God has forgiven us in Christ. When our Savior was on earth He told a parable of the man who had a great debt and could not pay. The man was forgiven and did not have to pay his debt, but then the same man went to another who owed him a little debt and put him under pressure to pay (Mt. 18:23-35). This is a very serious story, but does not this sometimes happen among believers? We have been forgiven such a great debt in Christ, and yet sometimes we feel unable to forgive our brother or sister.

These seven flowers of the new man, bound together by the cord of divine love, are not natural characteristics. There are some people who are particularly meek and others who are very kind, but this is not what Paul meant here. What the apostle had in mind were things that have been brought about in our lives by the Holy Spirit. They are surrounded by the gold of divine love; and the peace of Christ should influence the decisions in our hearts with regard to our living and walking with one another.

We find an important phrase in Ephesians 2: “He is our peace” (v.14). This is not a matter of the peace of our consciences or hearts. Rather, we are all together in Christ’s presence; He is the Person who has so led us. “He is our peace.” This thought that we have been led one to another in Christ should govern the decisions of our hearts. The word of Christ should be displayed in the Christian circle, and then we will find spiritual joy. This can be expressed through psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. We should sing together not only in the Christian circle but also in the circle of the Christian family.

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. Fathers, do not vex [provoke] your children, to the end that they be not disheartened. —Colossians 3:18-21

The two principles, “seek the things above” and “put to death your members which are upon the earth,” should also be displayed in the Christian family. God gave marriage before sin occurred, but it has been affected by sin. Scripture shows us here the two divine principles for marriage: wives should take the place of subjection to their husbands, and husbands should love their wives. To make clear what Paul said here, consider that the opposite of subjection to the husband is rebellion against him, and the opposite of love is not hatred but indifference. When wives are in rebellion in their own houses against their husbands and when husbands are indifferent to the needs of their wives, there is destruction in Christian marriages. I know that the philosophies of this world differ, but we want to be governed by the thoughts of Christ.

In the relationship between children and their parents, children are told to obey their parents. This is a divine principle, still valid today. A great blessing of God has been placed on it. I would like to repeat this, “Children, obey your parents.” I know that this is different in our world today, but in Christian families this principle should still apply.

Then the fathers are told they are not to provoke their children. This is an important exhortation, for we can provoke our children:

• Through carnal, or fleshly, behavior.
• When we want to demonstrate that we are the lord of the house.
• By exaggerating what we require of them.
• If we do not give them increasing liberty when they grow up and need to live a life of their own.

We can see that these two principles, “seek the things above” and “put to death your members which are upon the earth,” are so important in the Christian family.

Bondmen, obey in all things your masters according to flesh; not with eye-services, as men-pleasers, but in simplicity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatsoever ye do, labour at it heartily, as doing it to the Lord, and not to men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance; ye serve the Lord Christ. For he that does a wrong shall receive the wrong he has done, and there is no respect of persons. Masters, give to bondmen what is just and fair, knowing that ye also have a Master in the heavens. —Colossians 3:22-4:1

The third area is that of our work. Servants are exhorted to work, and masters are called upon to reward their servants according to their worth. Paul spoke about slaves and masters here, but these are divine principles which are still true in our environment today. The believer in his workplace is under obligation to follow the instructions given by the boss and to work as “to the Lord.” There we read something wonderful, namely that the Lord will give a recompense, or right compensation. There are times when we may think we deserve to be paid more than what we receive. If this is true, that you deserve more than you earn and you still remain faithful to your boss, then the Lord will reward you.

“He that does a wrong shall receive the wrong he has done” applies to the masters and the servants. This verse is the transition after the servants are addressed but before the masters are given instruction. Believing bosses should be just with their employees, and they should give them fair wages. They should give that which is right for the body, the soul and the spirit of the employee. These are exhortations which reflect the thoughts of the Lord Jesus Christ in the workplace.

Persevere in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us also, that God may open to us a door of the word to speak the mystery of Christ, on account of which also I am bound, to the end that I may make it manifest as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom towards those without, redeeming opportunities. Let your word be always with grace, seasoned with salt, so as to know how ye ought to answer each one. —Colossians 4:2-6

The fourth area where these two principles, “seek the things above” and “put to death your members which are upon the earth,” apply is in the Lord’s work. All believers have the privilege of doing His work. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, with application to all believers: “So then, my beloved brethren, be firm, immovable, abounding always in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). We find in the Bible certain Christians who were special tools of the Lord, such as in 1 Corinthians 16:10, where both Timothy and Paul are mentioned: “Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear; for he works the work of the Lord, even as I [Paul].”

Perhaps we think the most important thing we can do in the Lord’s work is to speak, but there are three things that are important in the Lord’s work. I lay special emphasis on the order as Paul gave instruction to his readers. The first and foremost thing in the Lord’s work is prayer. Your service in the Lord’s work begins on your knees. The second point, found in Colossians 4:5, is the walk. If we want to work in the Lord’s work we must take care of our walk, meaning how we live and act. Lastly, in verse 6, mention is made of speaking, or “your word.” Therefore we have prayer, walk and word – the divine order in the Lord’s work.

We should also pray for others who are in the Lord’s work, and it was Paul’s desire here that the Lord should open a door for him. It was not a request for many open doors but just for one, because he could not pass through many at one time. Therefore Paul requested this prayer that the Lord might open one door for him so he might announce the mystery of Christ which comprises the whole Christian truth. We pray for the gospel, and this is important, but it is not all: we should pray that the whole Christian truth is proclaimed. Then Paul spoke of our walk in relation to those around who watch us, and of redeeming the time. This does not mean that you must work for 24 hours a day, but you have to do the right thing at the right time, which is exercise in our walk. If there is an opportunity then we should take it under the Lord’s guidance.

Then of course we should also speak in the Lord’s work. We do not speak by giving orders; we speak in grace. Also, our speech is to be seasoned with salt. Salt works against corruption and gives spice and taste to food. Our speech should always be in grace, but with the spiritual power which works against corruption and gives a divine seasoning.

Finally, Paul told us how to respond to individuals – not what we should respond to everyone. Our French-speaking brethren have a nice phrase: “The tone makes the music.” This is true in the Lord’s work as well. It is not only a question of what we say but of how we say it. We should ponder this if we want to be involved in the Lord’s work.

To summarize, we “seek that which is above” and we “put to death [our] members which are upon the earth.” This is a daily exercise, and we practice this in the Christian circle, the family circle, at our workplace and in the Lord’s work – with the help and grace of our Lord.

By Max Billeter, adapted from an address on Colossians 3:1-4:6.