Go Beyond

Knowing and understanding the passions of God is important if we are going to make a difference in our world. It’s far too easy for us to get engaged in pursuits that we think are good but that can keep us from investing ourselves in what is beyond good — the things that will last into eternity. That’s why it’s important that we connect with what matters most to God — things like the spiritual welfare of those who have yet to hear the gospel, speaking up for those who have no voice (Prov. 31:8-9), and caring for widows and orphans in their distress (James 1:27). Essentially, we should care about the same things that Jesus cared about. He came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10), He felt compassion for the multitudes “because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36), and He willingly laid down His life for His friends (John 15:13).

Connecting with what matters most to God begins by seeking “the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1). The Apostle Paul wrote those words to Christ-followers in the city of Colossae. To their credit, these Christ-followers were relating properly to both God and man. They had a faith that was solidly grounded in Christ and they demonstrated the reality of that faith by having an all-embracing love. True Christian love must be willing to embrace those outside of our fellowship. Paul encouraged the Colossian believers to continuously seek “the things that are above” — in other words, to make Christ’s interests their own and to allow those interests to govern their daily living. What we do on this earth should reflect the values and interests of heaven. We must intentionally focus our thinking on the things above or on God’s passions and interests and then order our steps accordingly.

Seeking the things that are above is easier said than done, especially in light of all of the distractions in our world. But, doing so is essential to making a difference in the present world. C.S. Lewis wrote: “If you read history, you’ll find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the Slave Trade, all left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in’; aim at earth and you will get neither.” (Mere Christianity, p. 134). May we always aim at heaven and allow God to use us to make a difference in our world.