Paul must have enjoyed the gift of discernment. He wrote to the people of Colosse concerning what to do in the face of being belittled by other Christians. Instead of dealing with the natural tendency to feel small in the face of criticism, he encouraged his young brothers to take the high ground and leave their accusers behind. His advice was to set their heart and mind on things above, not on earthly things.

But, how does one look to heaven while walking on earth? Don't we run the risk of collision with some immovable obstacle if we're not looking? First of all, Scripture doesn't say to fix our eyes on heaven. Instead, we are to set our affections (heart and mind) on heaven while keeping our eyes open to danger below. We are to get our directions from God, while watching where we're going - with eyes wide-open.

In every mission trip Paul took, he met and ministered to Gentiles whose idea of heaven was a place where gods lived. They had no expectation to live in heaven. They saw their few years on earth as a way to please or anger the gods. To say they were temporal, would be an understatement.

Christians on the other hand, have a personal relationship with the only true God through Jesus Christ, His only Son. God gives us power to live by His power. (1Th 4:13) In addition, heaven is the place we're headed after this life is done. Our faith offers eternal hope through the love of God who gives us, His children, power to overcome any obstacle we face in life. Jesus changed people and places when he ministered on earth. In effect He brought a little of heaven down to earth wherever He went. Don't we have the same opportunity?

Now with a deal like that, how can anyone refuse? Some will, but sadly many accept the deal and continue to live like they did before professing faith in Christ. They consider heaven a safety net and faith in God as a safe choice to guarantee getting there. Paul said we'll be like Jesus when we see Him. But far too many people believe they'll be changed to be like Jesus when they die, but are never changed on earth. (Col 3:4)

Where is your heart and mind fixed today? God has given us the power to make the place we live and work a little bit of heaven on earth. The question remains: are we praying like Jesus for the Father's will to be on earth as it is in heaven or waiting for death in order to experience it ?

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Jr. 8:8-9:26 Cl. 3:1-17 Ps. 78:26-58 Pr. 24:27 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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