"Seek those things which are above" Dusty Pic, Cool Photo Effect

Colossians 3:1 says:

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." (ESV)

Commentary

Paul is reminding believers of their new identity in Christ. The phrase "raised with Christ" refers to the spiritual reality that those who trust in Jesus share in His resurrection life. Because of that, Christians are called to live differently.

"Seek the things that are above" does not mean ignoring earthly responsibilities or spending all day thinking about heaven. Rather, it means making God's values, priorities, and purposes the focus of daily life. Christians are to pursue things such as:

• Love
• Holiness
• Compassion
• Truth
• Worship
• Eternal purposes

Paul points to Christ being "seated at the right hand of God", a position of authority, honor, and victory. By directing believers' attention to the exalted Christ, he encourages them to live from the perspective of God's kingdom instead of being controlled by temporary earthly concerns.

Practical Application

For a busy mom, student, or anyone navigating daily pressures, Colossians 3:1 is an invitation to ask:

• What am I pursuing most intensely right now?
• Do my priorities reflect my relationship with Christ?
• Am I viewing today's challenges from an eternal perspective?

The verse teaches that our actions flow from our identity. We do not seek God in order to become His children; we seek Him because we already belong to Him through Christ.

Reflection

A simple paraphrase might be:

"Since you have been given new life through Jesus, make God's kingdom and Christ's priorities the focus of your life."

For someone balancing faith, family, and college, this verse can be a gentle reminder that even ordinary tasks, studying, parenting, creating, and serving, can be done with a heart set on Christ rather than merely getting through the day.

John 15:4 - Abide in Jesus

 

John 15:4 (KJV)

"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."

One of the beautiful truths in this verse is that the Christian life is not meant to be lived in our own strength. Jesus compares believers to branches and Himself to the vine. Just as a branch cannot produce grapes if it is separated from the vine, we cannot bear spiritual fruit apart from Christ. Our strength, wisdom, peace, and growth all come from staying connected to Him.

The word "abide" means to remain, continue, or dwell. Jesus is teaching that believers should maintain a close relationship with Him through prayer, reading God's Word, and trusting Him day by day. When we stay near the Lord, He works in our lives and produces fruit such as love, joy, peace, and faithfulness.

This verse is also a reminder that trying to live for God apart from His help can leave us spiritually weak and discouraged. The branch does not struggle to create life on its own; it simply remains connected to the vine. In the same way, our focus should be on abiding in Christ and relying on Him rather than depending solely on ourselves.

John 15:4 encourages us to draw near to Jesus each day, knowing that true spiritual growth comes not from our own efforts alone, but from remaining connected to the One who is the source of life itself. 🍇❤️✝️