In Phil 3:18 Paul speaks of those who live as enemies of the cross of Christ. "Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. THEIR MIND IS ON EARTHLY THINGS." (Emphasis mine.) He then goes on to contrast this with those who have citizenship in Heaven.

Again the Holy Spirit exhorts us to try on the shoe and wear it if it fits. Does your life exhibit the qualities of a citizen of Heaven or an enemy of the cross? Some of the qualities are laid out for us there in black and white from verses 18 through 4:1, and you may find your life is a mixture of both. But a key part is the overarching statement that an enemy of the cross has their mind on earthly things.

In Col 3:1 Paul exhorts the Colossians that since they have been raised with Christ, they should set their hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. This mindset will manifest in several ways. Where is your treasure spent? Where is your time spent? Where are your priorities? From where do your standards and values originate? Peers? Public figures? Teachers? Parents? The media?

Some of these sources may be very good if they're Godly. I praise God for my Godly parents, Sunday School teachers, and peers. But at the same time I know that many parents, teachers, and peers are not Godly at all. Scripture is of course the test.

If you're on the right track you'll find that you don't worry so much about things that will cease to matter on earth. Older Christians are often like this. They've raised the families, they've made what money they're going to make, and possessed what possessions they're going to possess. They've held the jobs and are past all of that. Now they're thinking about going home to where their citizenship is, and their mindset reflects that.

But wouldn't it be great if younger folks, and the younger the better, set their minds on heavenly things early on? How would our lives be different?

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2002