44 Days Through the New Testament – Day 31

Colossians 3 – 1 Thessalonians 1

The letters written from Paul are so rich. I am exceedingly thankful that we have these amazing letters preserved for us through the ages. I know that all scripture is God-breathed and that God has protected His word so that we could have free access to it today, but to be honest, I feel like I too often take it for granted. The letter to the Colossians is just another wonderful example of the absolute treasure that we have in God’s word.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:1, ESV

Brilliant! Just brilliant!

I need this kind of reminder in my life! I have been raised with Christ! I have passed from death to life! Why, then, do I continue to see dead things? Why do I continue to fix my eyes on things below -which are ultimately worthless and passing? It is foolishness!

I need to fix my eyes on Christ! I have been raised with Christ, who is currently seated at the right hand of God.

May those of us who have been raised with Christ fix our eyes firmly on Him, not getting sidetracked from the passing things of this world, but running the race set before us with the endurance that comes from God!

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:2–4, ESV

1 Thessalonians 2-4

While we are here on the earth, we should fix our eyes on Jesus, but we are powerfully reminded in 1 Thessalonians 4 that we may see Jesus clearly far before our natural death!

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, ESV

When Christ returns for His bridge, we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together in the air with those who have died. On that Great Day, we will be with the LORD!

Tragically, those who have rejected Him here on earth, those who have rejected the good news of the gospel, will be forever separated from Him in eternity. That is why we have to keep our eyes fixed on things that matter, and not get sidetracked by lesser things that ultimately do not matter. Souls matter. Stuff does not.

As we keep our eyes on Jesus, He will, no doubt, be reminding us of what Paul said in the second chapter of Ephesians -we have been saved by grace alone through faith alone, not by works… but we have been saved for good works. There is no better work than to share the gospel with people who have not yet put their faith in Christ. As we faithfully proclaim the gospel, we can be sure that some of them who hear our words will join us in the air on the day Christ returns. Hallelujah!