Christian Fellowship Community Group
A safe place for Christians who Love Jesus Christ to meet and ask for prayer and share scriptures from the bible. We value the posting of Christian music, poems, stories and also personal testimonies. Please let us know your needs, concerns and have some fun getting to know each other. We treat each other with respect.
The wisdom of the fathers
WHAT ARE THE ‘THINGS ABOVE’?
Since,then, you have been raised with Christ, set your heart on things above… (Col. 3.14 -16)
The starting point of our journey is knowing who Jesus Christ really is. It is at this point we set our face like a flint toward the heavenly Jerusalem. Our ultimate goal is to see Christ face to face. As with every other type of journey, so this journey of the crucified life has many obstacles. If we rest upon our own strength, we fail. However, there is strength in Jesus Christ that makes the Christian journey successful. Success in the Christian life is not automatic. The soul must be cultivated like a garden and the will must be sanctified and become Christian through and through. Heavenly treasures must be sought, and we must seek those things that are above and mortify the thing that are below.
Too many are satisfied with the status quo and never press on to become perfect in Christ. Our objective is to finish the race. Many begin, but few cross the finish line.
…What does Paul mean when he talks about ‘those things which are above’? This is not some broad generalisation as it may sound. They can be identified. We may draw a line down the middle of the page and over on the left-hand side put the things that are on earth, and over on the right-hand side the things that are in heaven. By contrast, we see how different we are as Christians. The things that are of the earth belong to sight, reason and our senses. The things that are in heaven belong to faith, trust and confidence in God.
Over on the left-hand side, we put pleasures of the earth, and over on the right-hand side, we put delight in the Lord. On the left: treasures of the earth; on the right: treasures, where neither moth nor rust do corrupt, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Mt. 6.20) On the left we put reputation among men and our desire to stand well with them; on the right, we put the desire to stand well with God. On the left, we put a rich dwelling place; on the right, we put a mansion above. On the left, we put a desire to walk with the best company here below; on the right, we put a desire to walk with God here below. On the left, we put following men’s philosophy, and on the right following God’s revelation. On the left, cultivating the flesh; on the right living for the Spirit. On the left, to live for a time; on the right, to live for eternity. (by A. W. Tozer)
WHAT ARE THE ‘THINGS ABOVE’?
Since,then, you have been raised with Christ, set your heart on things above… (Col. 3.14 -16)
The starting point of our journey is knowing who Jesus Christ really is. It is at this point we set our face like a flint toward the heavenly Jerusalem. Our ultimate goal is to see Christ face to face. As with every other type of journey, so this journey of the crucified life has many obstacles. If we rest upon our own strength, we fail. However, there is strength in Jesus Christ that makes the Christian journey successful. Success in the Christian life is not automatic. The soul must be cultivated like a garden and the will must be sanctified and become Christian through and through. Heavenly treasures must be sought, and we must seek those things that are above and mortify the thing that are below.
Too many are satisfied with the status quo and never press on to become perfect in Christ. Our objective is to finish the race. Many begin, but few cross the finish line.
…What does Paul mean when he talks about ‘those things which are above’? This is not some broad generalisation as it may sound. They can be identified. We may draw a line down the middle of the page and over on the left-hand side put the things that are on earth, and over on the right-hand side the things that are in heaven. By contrast, we see how different we are as Christians. The things that are of the earth belong to sight, reason and our senses. The things that are in heaven belong to faith, trust and confidence in God.
Over on the left-hand side, we put pleasures of the earth, and over on the right-hand side, we put delight in the Lord. On the left: treasures of the earth; on the right: treasures, where neither moth nor rust do corrupt, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Mt. 6.20) On the left we put reputation among men and our desire to stand well with them; on the right, we put the desire to stand well with God. On the left, we put a rich dwelling place; on the right, we put a mansion above. On the left, we put a desire to walk with the best company here below; on the right, we put a desire to walk with God here below. On the left, we put following men’s philosophy, and on the right following God’s revelation. On the left, cultivating the flesh; on the right living for the Spirit. On the left, to live for a time; on the right, to live for eternity. (by A. W. Tozer)
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unot thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (King James Bible)
As well the Lord Jesus tells us in John:
John 15:4-5
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (King James Bible)
Indeed we can do "nothing" without our Lord Lord Jesus Christ, but with Him as Paul states in Philippians:
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strenghteneth me. (King James Bible)