Where Should I Look?

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3

In the previous chapter, Paul speaks to us about being dead with Christ to this world, and here he reminds us that we are also risen with Christ (Romans 6). And, since this is true, we should have a new perspective. We have new life in Christ Jesus, and that new life leads us to see things differently, and to look in a different place.

So where do we look? We look in a higher place. A place out of this world, so to speak. We should be looking to our Lord, and the things that He makes available to us. From Ephesians 2:6, we find that we are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Why go looking elsewhere?

So, what are we looking for? Wisdom? Understanding? Guidance for our daily lives? Knowledge of our beloved Lord? All of these and much more. Everything we need we find in God’s Word. This is where we seek the eternal things.

Proverbs 2:1– 4 speaks of those that have an earnest interest is seeking wisdom and understanding from God’s Word. Not just a passing glance or superficial interest, but a deep desire that moves one to incline the ear and to call out and seek out as if it was the most valuable of treasures.

The promise to such is to gain a deeper understanding of the fear of the Lord; a deeper reverence for who God is and what He means to us. Greater knowledge of God is the end result. And nothing can compare to that kind of gain.

In Jeremiah 9:23–24 we read, “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.”

If there is anything worth boasting about it is our Lord. If there is anything to glory in, it is our Lord. How will we truly be able to praise Him and tell others about Him if we do not know Him? In Hosea 6:6 we read “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Even religious ritual has no value, only knowing God.

Man is continually searching for something that satisfies; something fulfilling. They search and they study and they philosophize. And yet, they have not found it in the things of the world. Nothing satisfies like Jesus. Nothing fulfills like a life yielded to the lover of our soul.

We are risen with Christ and as such, we should be seeking those things which are above. We will never be truly contented with anything else.

Gordon Crook