3 Mar 2012

Set your mind on things above

Submitted by theshovel
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Jim ..what are your thoughts on colossians 3:1-especially when it says ..SET YOUR MINDS ON THINGS ABOVE…looks like the flesh cant do that,its bound…what are your thoughts on that?

- Mark A

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4

Hello Mark! Which mind do you think Paul was speaking of in saying this?

Hello Jim
i don’t know. looks like the greek lexicon is not helping…it can easily slide away from being miraculous.
…Jim and 2 cor 3:18…what is the mirror? some say its the written word of God…others its the revelation of Christ…what are your thoughts on that tooo

- Mark A

Forget the Greek lexicon! LOL! If Paul told the believers in Colosse to set their minds on things above, and we know that the mind of the flesh is incapable, then what other option is there? Remember that to the Corinthians, Paul declared the reality of only two minds: the natural mind or the mind of Christ.

The written word of God the mirror? Do you really think Paul would be suggesting such a thing? Consider that the verse doesn’t actually call it a “mirror”, rather he wrote:

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NASB

“beholding AS IN a mirror…”

If we are beholding the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, what are we seeing a reflection of? In other words, when you look into a mirror who do you see? If our eyes have been opened and we look into that figurative mirror are we not seeing the glory of the Lord when we see who we really are? Do you sense the amazing reality of what it is to truly have the life of Christ as our life?

Jim

Jim…there’s a portion that says..”.when the heart turns to the Lord”…Jim the heart is incapable of turning to the lord…what are your thoughts…

- Mark A

Are you referring to this?

but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 2 Corinthians 3:16 NASB

I understand where you’re coming from in making distinction between what a person can or cannot do, or what mind can or cannot understand. Having come through much of that scrutiny myself, I have come to realize that I was trying to figure it all out according to natural logic. It is so much simpler that all the attempts we make at making it simple. Whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away is a simple statement of reality. Paul would not be suggesting that the fleshly mind can turn to the Lord, but instead declared a reality that happens through the Spirit of God. It’s not a HOW … it a WHEN. For a man to turn to the Lord is a definite miracle of God brought about through the death and resurrection in Christ.

At one time, our thoughts were against God, they did not understand him even if we had professed understanding. But WHEN we turned to him in faith, we were brought there through the power of God in having been raised to new life. You see, just the fact that it happened, it testified to the miraculous work of God through Christ … for we did not even have faith before he brought it about.

Jim

Hello Jim…yes exactly, …A STATEMENT OF REALITY,once again the natural mind is tripping me.that was helpful

- Mark A

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Comments

Hahaha Jim, Mark and I have had conversations on this very many times. Thank you so much for your responses. They truly brought rest.
It was good seeing you in Uganda. You are a wonderful brother. All the best!

theshovel's picture

My dear Grace, it was likewise good to have met you in Uganda! :)

I remember really enjoying this interaction here with Mark that you wrote up. Thanks Grace for bringing it to remembrance!

 

Adam

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