Daily Lesson for Sunday 8th of March 2026

From a mountaintop, it is possible to survey a vast landscape that is all around you. From time immemorial, mountains have been frequented by those seeking a closer experience with God (see Psalms 121:1-2). Even human-made mountains, called ziggurats, have been constructed by pagans for a similar purpose—to meet with the gods. Interestingly, the city of Ur, which Abram was called to leave, had a very large ziggurat visible from miles around. But changing one’s elevation will never by itself draw anyone closer to heaven in a spiritual sense. Human effort never could.

Image © John Baker at Goodsalt.com

Instead, only through a miracle of grace, whereby we died with Christ and were raised with Him (figuratively pictured by baptism [Colossians 2:12-13]), is it possible to draw nearer to heaven.

Notice that from the beginning of Colossians 3:1-25, the repeated emphasis on what is above, that is, what there is in heaven: “those things which are above,” “where Christ is,” “things above,” “with Christ in God,” “with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4, NKJV).

Admittedly, there is much in the Christian life that defies explanation. How can a person really “die” and “be raised” when, to all ap­pearances, he or she is the same person and has had no such life-and-death experience? There is much that does not make sense to the natural mind, uninfluenced by the Holy Spirit. But to those who are spiritually-minded, because they have received the new heart promised by God, death to sin and being raised with Christ are genuine realities. As the hymn affirms: “You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.”

Nevertheless, Paul gives these commands because there is a constant need for this spiritual life to be renewed (see 2 Corinthians 4:16). We can, indeed, fall away and be lost! And we are never safe from temptation in this life.

We must, therefore, choose daily to “seek those things which are above” (Colossians 3:1). Our eternal life is safely “hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3, NKJV), but the outward expression of that life will be anything but hidden.

<–Sabbath Monday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-11-heavenly-mindedness/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-11-heavenly-mindedness