As children of God, we can seek those things which are above in our thoughts and actions. This enables us to see things from God’s elevated position. God’s Word shows us what it means to seek an elevated perspective and how we can set our affection on things above and live above the circumstances of the world.
Colossians 3:1,2:
If [Since] ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
The word “seek” in verse 1 means to look for or strive to find. To “seek” in this verse is not a once-in-a-while thought. This seeking requires diligent perseverance. “Things…above” refers to heavenly things. This is God’s perspective. We strive diligently to seek God’s elevated perspective, and we find it in His Word.
“Set…affection on” is translated from one Greek word that here means “to mind.” This means to direct one’s mind to a thing, to seek for, to strive for. We are to direct our minds to things above. These verses clearly tell us to not direct our thoughts to the things of earth. Instead, we decide to diligently look for and redirect our thoughts to God’s powerful Word and gain His elevated, spiritual perspective.
How does this enable us to live above the circumstances of the world? We can live above any circumstance as we raise our thinking to God’s elevated perspective—thinking spiritual thoughts because of what we learn from His Word. And we can understand that the circumstances we see with our senses are only temporal, but that which we can see spiritually from God’s elevated, spiritual perspective is eternal (II Corinthians 4:18).
II Corinthians 10:5:
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
Acts 17:11:
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness [eagerness] of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
In order to set our affection on things above, we control our thinking by leading every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. We search God’s Word to learn His perspective. Then we determine to think what the Word says instead of what the world says. What and how we think will determine our actions. As we raise our thinking to God’s perspective, we will do what the Word says and see God’s blessings and benefits abounding in every circumstance.
Is there an area of your life in which you feel limited in your perspective? Why not go to the greatness of God’s Word to see His spiritual perspective on the matter? Elevate your thoughts to the level of His thoughts, and watch your vision become clearer as you ascend toward His vantage point where there is life and peace and power.
When we view life from God’s perspective, we can clearly see the benefits and blessings that God desires for our lives. Enjoy setting your affection on things above, gaining God’s benefits and blessings, and living above the circumstances of the world.