August 31, 2003 Communion Dedication - Baldwin Christian Church

Colossians 3:1-4 If 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. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

This is a huge litmus test of our faith. When we finally do give Jesus full access to our hearts, He cuts away the sin that condemns us. Through the waters of baptism we arise with Him as new creatures (2 Cor 5:17), as teachable children (Matt 18), with the full expectation of our Father that we will become effective teachers of His Word, and as Paul explained at the end of chapter one, effectiveness can only blossom in us through the mighty working of His Holy Spirit (Col 1:28-29).

Therefore the test: although I may have already done these things by faith in the operation of God; although I may be striving according to His working in me, it may all be in vain if my heart is hiding some affection for "things" on the earth. Even though you won't find it in the Greek manuscripts, almost every Bible version is in agreement concerning the use of the word "things" in verse two. Notice that verse two does not say, "Set your affection on things above, not on creatures on the earth."

The "creatures" you come into contact with every day make observations and take mental notes about you. Through your words and your actions, they're able to perceive exactly where the focus of your affections are. If you ever get upset or worried over the "things on the earth," then it's obvious that your treasures are here "on the earth," and that makes you no different than anybody else, so the people around you will see nothing unusual about you. If you demonstrate any behavior contrary to the walk that Paul describes in the rest of this letter, then your ministry becomes ineffective, and the whole body of Christ is harmed. On the other hand, if you take to heart the admonition in verse 3 (The old things are passed away, you've become a new creature, and your real life is hidden with Him in God.), then the hope contained in verse 4 will strengthen your resolve continually (when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will also appear with Him in all His glory), and then verse 2 just comes naturally. That, my friends, is what distinguishes you in the eyes of those "creatures" who cross your path each day! Setting your affections on a heavenly hope affects your entire attitude, and most importantly it will crack open the door for the Spirit to minister to those other "creatures" in your life.

Our lives are hidden with Christ, and for now, we do have to live without being able to see everything that's true, but that doesn't stop us from believing in it, from loving it, and from revealing the hidden things of God to those "creatures" around us simply through the way we walk with Jesus. Sometimes the hidden things seem lost to me, and this only leads me to frustration and discouragement. Whenever the "things on the earth" tempt you to think that Jesus is far away, remember that He sits, "on the right hand of God," and remember what this means to you.

Psalm 63:7-8 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

To gain a perspective of the hand upholding you,

Isaiah 40:12 Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted (measured) out heaven with the span (the width of His right hand)...

Well, what color is your litmus paper? How much of your mind is focused on earthly riches, honours, and temporary enjoyments? How often do the necessities of life (food, clothing, and shelter) create anxiety and cause you to overthink things? How much time do you spend up in the mountains (Matt 18:12-14), seeking after that one-hundredth sheep?

Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

I pray that we realize the things we're looking for aren't here, but the creatures who Jesus is looking for are here, and I pray that we continue this week in constant communion, refusing to be neglectful of the things of God, and setting the affection of our hearts on our Treasure, Who sits in all His power and glory (Psalm 110) at the right hand of our heavenly Father.