Mindset Above

The mindset of the Christian is the greatest challenge faced on this earthly walk.  The division between God and man, created by sin, makes it very difficult to consider circumstances above the earthly level.  We are consumed with thoughts of this world, bombarded by influences from our temporal surrounding.

In our passage today Paul admonishes the early believers to set their minds on “things above”.  Things above what? Things above the troubles you are currently facing. Things above the illness you are currently suffering through.  Things above the relationships you are experiencing. Things above the sin in your life. Things above the earthly matters we live in daily.  

Note that Paul’s instructions are “Set your mind”.  He does not say think on things above. To have a mindset is to be predisposed to a certain approach as it relates to action.  Simply thinking does not involve action other than the thought itself. However, a mindset actually prepares a person for action and determines their course through action.

Based on this understanding what the Bible is instructing us to do is to establish within ourselves the course through action.  That course should be based on things above where “Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” This is important to understand because the position of Jesus denotes authority.  The right hand is the place of authority. That is why placement is specified in this scripture verse.

So if we are intent on establishing within ourselves the mindset where Christ is in authority over all things, we will have a determined course through all earthly things.  This is not WWJD (What Would Jesus Do - for all you youngsters). This is knowing what I am going to do since Jesus is in authority. Setting our mind on things above does not mean we float over the cares of this world.  What it does mean is through the care of this world I will pass with the understanding that the One with all authority is in control.

Colossians 3:1-2