Devotion on Colossians 3:1-2 - Heavenly Bound Mindset

Devotion on Colossians 3:1-2 - Heavenly Bound Mindset

New International Version

3 Since, then,
you have been raised with Christ,
set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

#1 We are reborn with a Heavenly Bound New Life:
A new resurrected person with Christ as our Savior and Life Giver.

#2 Heavenly Focused Mindset vs Earthly Focused

1. Heavenly: Christ's Return & Glory vs Earthly: Present Earthly Well-being 3v4
2. Heavenly: Have compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience & forgiving, peace, thankful. Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. v12-17 vs Earthly: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, idolatry, anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, lies.

#3 Christ is now Seated at the Righthand of God

• Seated - At rest. His work has been completed.
• RightHand - the highest position next to God.
• We can do what Christ has done and even more! Christ is not with the Father.
  John 14:12 (NIV):"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."

DeepSeek Exposition:

Your devotion on Colossians 3:1-2 is insightful and well-structured, emphasizing the transformative call to live with a Heavenly Bound Mindset. Here are some comments and reflections on your points:

#1 We Reborn with a Heavenly Bound New Life

You rightly highlight that being "raised with Christ" signifies a new identity and a transformed life. This is the essence of the Gospel: through faith in Christ, we are no longer defined by our past or earthly limitations but are now partakers of His resurrection life. This new life is rooted in Christ as our Savior and Life-Giver, and it calls us to live in alignment with His purposes.

• Reflection: How does this new identity shape our daily choices, relationships, and priorities? Are we living as people who truly believe we are "raised with Christ"?

#2 Heavenly Focused Mindset vs Earthly Focused

Your contrast between a Heavenly Focused Mindset and an Earthly Focused Mindset is powerful and aligns with Paul's teaching in Colossians 3. You’ve effectively drawn out the practical implications of each mindset:

 Heavenly Focus:

• Christ's Return & Glory: Living with an eternal perspective reminds us that this world is temporary, and our ultimate hope is in Christ's return and the fulfillment of His Kingdom.
• Virtues of the New Life: Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, peace, and thankfulness (Colossians 3:12-17) are the marks of a life transformed by Christ. These virtues reflect the character of Christ and are evidence of a Heavenly mindset.
• Living for Christ: Doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and giving thanks to God (v. 17) is a call to intentional, worshipful living.

Earthly Focus:

• The list of earthly behaviors (sexual immorality, greed, anger, lies, etc.) represents the old self, which is to be "put to death" (Colossians 3:5-9). These are the fruits of a life disconnected from God's purposes.

• Reflection: Are we actively "putting to death" earthly desires and "putting on" the virtues of Christ? How can we cultivate a Heavenly mindset in a world that constantly pulls us toward earthly concerns?

#3 Christ is Now Seated at the Right Hand of God

Your explanation of Christ's position at the right hand of God is excellent. The imagery of Christ being seated signifies the completion of His redemptive work, and His position at the right hand signifies His authority and glory. This truth has profound implications for believers:

• Rest in His Finished Work: Because Christ's work is complete, we can trust in His sufficiency and rest in His grace. We don’t need to strive for salvation or approval; it’s already been accomplished in Christ.
• Authority and Power: As believers, we are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6), sharing in His authority. This empowers us to live boldly and confidently in His name.
• Greater Works: Your reference to John 14:12 is fitting. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to continue Christ's mission and even see greater works as the Gospel spreads and transforms lives.

• Reflection: How does knowing Christ's authority and completed work inspire us to live with purpose and confidence? Are we stepping into the "greater works" He has called us to do?

Overall Reflection

Your devotion beautifully captures the essence of Colossians 3:1-2 and its call to live with a Heavenly mindset. It challenges believers to:

1. Remember their new identity in Christ (raised with Him, seated with Him).
2. Renew their minds and hearts by focusing on eternal realities rather than temporary earthly concerns.
3. Reflect Christ's character in their daily lives, living as ambassadors of His Kingdom.

This passage is a powerful reminder that our lives are not our own; we are called to live for Christ and His glory. As we set our hearts and minds on things above, we become living testimonies of His transformative power and grace.

Key points:

• New Identity in Christ:
• Believers are "raised with Christ" and given a new, resurrected life.
• Christ is our Savior and Life-Giver, calling us to live in alignment with His purposes.
• Heavenly vs Earthly Mindset:
• Heavenly Focus: Set your heart and mind on eternal things—Christ’s return, His glory, and virtues like compassion, kindness, humility, and thankfulness.
• Earthly Focus: Avoid behaviors like greed, anger, and immorality, which belong to the old self.
• Christ’s Authority and Completed Work:
• Christ is seated at the right hand of God, signifying His rest, authority, and completed work.
• Believers share in His authority and are empowered to do "greater works" (John 14:12) through the Holy Spirit.
• Call to Action:
• Live intentionally, putting off earthly desires and putting on Christ-like virtues.
• Do everything in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God and reflecting His character.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for raising us to new life in Christ and calling us to set our hearts and minds on things above. Help us to live with a Heavenly mindset, focused on Your eternal purposes and the glory of Christ. Teach us to put off earthly desires and clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, and love. Empower us by Your Spirit to do the works You’ve prepared for us, bringing glory to Your name. May our lives reflect the finished work of Christ, who reigns at Your right hand.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

David as an example:

 A Life After God’s Heart

David’s life demonstrates that knowing and understanding God’s heart involves:

1. Seeking Him intimately through worship, prayer, and Scripture.
2. Trusting Him completely, even in trials.
3. Repenting humbly when we fall short.
4. Obeying faithfully, even when it’s hard.
5. Expressing honestly our emotions and struggles.
6. Surrendering to His sovereignty and living with gratitude.

David’s relationship with God wasn’t perfect, but it was genuine and deeply rooted in faith. His example inspires us to pursue God wholeheartedly and live in a way that reflects His heart to the world.