In Colossians 3, Paul explains to the people that now that you have received Jesus, you are no longer your old self but made new in Christ.

Pursue a New Focus

“ Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” - Colossians 3:1

God has given us a new focus and we are to actively and intentionally set our focus on the things above because what you focus on is who you will become. If we place our focus on things in the world, our behaviors and actions will reflect the world. But if we place our focus on things of heaven, our behavior and actions will reflect heaven. So where is your focus today? What do you think about most? Perhaps, the reason why we are failing is because we already set ourselves up for failure in our minds before it ever reaches our hands. Sometimes we unconsciously set ourselves up for failure and that’s why we are failing. However, God wants to give us a fresh focus to see things through His eyes rather than ours. The focus of your heart reflects the fruits of your hands. We got to start thinking like how God thinks. When the disciples saw that Lazarus was dead, God saw resurrection. What if the problems that are in front of you are not meant to ruin you but it’s to remind you that you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength? What if it’s not an obstacle of problems but an opportunity of praise?

Gain heaven’s perspective for earthly problems. What we set our minds on will determine the way that we live our lives. Keeping our minds and hearts towards heaven will determine the perspective in which we see our situation. When we do that, we will see a birds eye view of what God sees and His heart is always to give freedom and liberty to all. Paul is calling these believers, who are tempted like all of us who think on carnal things, to set their heart and mind on things above. As believers we must always remember that though our feet may be on earth, our mind must be in heaven.

Pursue a New Desire

“Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.” - Colossians 3:5

We all have desires. Some of us have good desires, and some of us have not so good desires. Now don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with having a desire for something. In fact, it is not a sin to have desires because it is a gift from God. But Paul warns and reminds us to put to death our earthly bodies that desire immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed which amounts to idolatry. In other words, we have to be very careful where we direct our desires. A desire that is directed towards God will drive us to life, whereas a desire that is directed towards the world will drive us towards destruction. Where are you directing your desires today? A desire that is not directed towards God will lead to destruction but a desire that is directed towards God will lead to your destiny. When you allow God to guide and direct your steps, He will surely lead you to places to fulfill His calling over your life. But that’s hard right? Our sinful nature somehow always pulls us to direct our desires towards the world. That is why we need to ask God to give us a new desire to love Him and His people. A new desire that would drive us past our flesh and comfort zone to that place where our relationship with God is no longer on the level of convenience but conviction. As we set our minds on the things above, God will deposit in us the strength, the grace, the power to do what He desires us to do. Where your desire is directed will either lead you to God’s wrath or God’s blessing. Direct your desires towards God and He will drive you towards your destiny.

Pursue a New Identity

“there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all," - Colossians 3:10

The Gospel looks past your background, it looks past your family line, it looks past what you believed in the past, it looks past social status and calls you children of the Most High God! Jesus came to die on the cross for all. That includes those who love Him and those who hate Him. He died for those who accepted Him, and those who rejected Him. For we are all sinners saved by grace (Romans 5:8). Our old identity was called “sinner”, but through Jesus, now we are called “saint” (Ephesians 2:19). But if we are really honest with ourselves, we often feel insecure when we lose control. We often feel worthless when being compared. But where do you get your definition from in the first place? What defines you? Are we letting the world define us for who we are? So often, we feel the pressure to define ourselves through our jobs, financial status, successes, grades, appearance, what other people say about us and many other means. But our true identity comes from the One who created us. Therefore, you and I now no longer live on a definition given by man. So if men didn’t create you, they can’t define you. We are who we are in light of who He is. And He is where our identity comes from. We are not merely citizens of this country, we are citizens of Heaven. Heaven is our home. Heaven is where we belong. Christ is now all that matters and in all who believe. We are created for His glory to share His glory to the world. Let us not lose our eternal purpose for temporary pleasures.

Out with the old, in with the new.

Jesus died on the cross so that we can get rid of our old self and into a new life that He has for us. Having a heavenly mindset is crucial for advancing the kingdom, not only in our lives but for this world as well. The people who desire to be used by God will be the ones that will change the world. Let us put off our old self and put on the new self in Christ.

What are you currently holding on to that God wants to get rid of?