May 19, 2025

PURSUE THE ETERNAL

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.” 

Colossians 3:1–4 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

With the opening of chapter 3, the Apostle Paul makes a pivotal shift from doctrine to duty. In contrast to the pagan religions of his day—where belief had little bearing on behavior—Paul insists that Christian faith must shape how we live. What we believe must be declared, defended, and demonstrated.

He begins by calling us to “seek the things that are above”—to pursue the eternal, not the temporary. Paul gives five reasons for why our focus should be on the heavenly:

1. We Died with Christ (v. 3a)

Paul echoes his teaching in Romans: “Our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with” (Romans 6:6, NIV). Christ not only died for us (substitution), but we died with Him (identification). This death breaks sin’s control and detaches us from the world’s grip.

2. We Live in Christ (v. 4a)

Paul writes, “When Christ, who is your life…” Christ doesn’t just give us life—He is our life. This echoes John’s words: “Whoever has the Son has life” (1 John 5:12) and Paul’s own confession: “For to me, to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21).

3. We Were Raised with Christ (v. 1a)

Our resurrection with Christ is not merely future—it’s present. When Jesus rose from the grave, we were spiritually raised with Him. His victory is now our reality.

4. We Are Hidden in Christ (v. 3b)

Paul writes, “Your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” This hidden life speaks of our spiritual security, identity, and satisfaction—found not in what the world sees, but in our union with Christ.

5. We Will Be Glorified with Christ (v. 4b)

Finally, Paul looks ahead: “You will share in all his glory.” Our future is secure. When Christ returns, we will be revealed with Him in glory. This eternal hope calls us to live with heaven in view.

Paul affirms this mindset in 2 Corinthians 4:18: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Application:

If we truly grasp that we have died with Christ, live in Him, been raised with Him, are hidden in Him, and will one day be glorified in Him—then our minds must stay set on heaven. Our hearts must be tethered to eternity, not the temporary. Too often we chase what will fade, while ignoring what will last forever.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, help me realize all I have been given in Christ. Teach me to set my mind on the things above, not on earthly distractions. Let eternity shape how I live today. Amen.

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