Colossians 3:1-4 If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.… The things above — I. FORM THE PROPER OBJECT OF OUR REGARD. Every person should attend to the things which relate to his own home. But the home of a Christian is above. There is "his Father's house." II. THEY ARE THE OBJECT FOR WHICH MAN IS BY HIS NATURE MADE; and especially for which he is pre pared in his sanctified character. 1. By the constitution of his mind, man requires an object of a spiritual and eternal kind. Nothing of a worldly nature, however multiplied, is congenial with the tendencies and desires of the immortal spirit. 2. Much more, the Christian, as renewed in his spirit by the power of God, must "seek the things above," as alone suited to his soul. Spirituality is the essence of the Christian: he breathes and tends heavenward. III. THEIR TRANSCENDENT EXCELLENCE. There all is perfection; all holiness and happiness. There are in conceivable glories in the heavenly world. Whatever can render it a scene worthy of the majesty of God, of the infinite merit and purchase of the Son of God, of the most enlarged desires and hopes of the redeemed; all is collected and perfect there. IV. THEIR PERPETUITY. The smallest good, of a lasting duration, is deemed prefer able to a much greater benefit that is only transient. But the things which are not seen are eternal. V. THE CERTAINTY OF SUCCESS ASSURED TO ALL THAT SEEK THEM IN THE RIGHT WAY. In the pursuit of all earthly objects there is no certainty of attainment. Conclusion: What reasons, then, exist why we should seek these things with increased earnestness! 1. The apostle, who wrote the text, affords a striking example of the manner in which we should seek them (Philippians 3:12-14). 2. These reasons are always growing stronger; every moment is impairing the lustre and the value of everything below; while every moment is adding to the nearness and importance of eternal things. (Robert Hall, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. |
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