“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).
TEXT — Colossians 3:1-3
The Pilgrim’s Progress of John Bunyan has remained an instructional manual for Christians since it was published in 1678. The vanity fair in the book is a global market that attracts traders from every country. The merchandise includes houses, businesses, promotions, honours, kingdoms, precious stones and all worldly pleasures. The fair is on the way to the Celestial City, and all who desire to go to that heavenly city ‘would have to leave the world’. In practical terms, they must close their ears to the beckoning of the vendors and ‘look upwards’ to avoid focusing on ‘worthless things’.
Like Christian in The Pilgrim’s Progress, Apostle Paul calls believers to have a heavenly mindset and not be weighed down by earthly pursuits. Human beings are created with feelings and desires. Our passion often influences our actions, and the correct mindset will aid the accomplishment of our goals. Christians have died and risen with Christ. They are on the narrow road to heaven. Although they are in the world, they are not of the world. Therefore, they must not be preoccupied with temporary or earthly things but focus on eternal realities.
Setting our affections on heavenly things involves the choices we make daily. It requires discipline and devotion. We must filter our desires and renew our hearts by the transformative power of the Word of God. We must live with eternity in view as strangers and pilgrims in the world. We must prioritise God’s kingdom above our desires and satisfaction.
The reward at the end of the journey is incredible. The Bible says, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” Martin Luther said, “I would not give one moment of heaven for all the joy and riches of the world, even if it lasted for thousands and thousands of years.”
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
