What wonderful godly advice from the Apostle Paul about our Lord Jesus who is the head over all! “So then, JUST AS YOU RECEIVED CHRIST JESUS as Lord, CONTINUE TO LIVE YOUR LIVES IN HIM, rooted [deeply implanted, anchored] and built up in Him, strengthened [make stable, establish] in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing [to super abound, be in excess] with thankfulness. See to it that NO ONE TAKES YOU CAPTIVE through hollow and deceptive philosophy [viewpoint], which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. For IN CHRIST, ALL THE FULLNESS OF THE DEITY LIVES IN BODILY FORM, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. HE IS THE HEAD OVER EVERY POWER AND AUTHORITY.” (Col. 2:6-10) Paul was in a SPIRITUAL battle against Hellenistic syncretism, the blending of two or more religious belief systems into a new system. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, SET YOUR HEARTS ON THINGS ABOVE, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. SET YOUR MINDS ON THINGS ABOVE, not on earthly things. FOR YOU DIED, AND YOUR LIFE IS NOW HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD. When Christ, who is your life, appears, THEN YOU ALSO WILL APPEAR WITH HIM IN GLORY.” (Col. 3:1-4) Wow! We will appear with Christ in glory. A promise worth living for, but we must be mindful of the concerns of HIS WORLD more than the concerns of our world!
SETTING OUR HEARTS ON THINGS ABOVE…
-Bill Stockham