Set your affection on things above

This is Part 5 of my series, How do we seek the kingdom of God? It is fitting that Colossians 3 is the last passage I will consider – we find both the words seek and mind and it is very practical. I have pointed out that the apostles never quote the seek ye first passage, yet I believe Paul is essentially teaching this and explaining how we do it. It’s long so let’s get to it!

3:1  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
3:2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
This begins back in 2:10 and O how everything inside of me wants to start there! I will restrain myself, but I will say this much, In v 12 he said we were buried and raised with Christ in baptism, then he set about explaining how this applies to life. So, when chapter 3 begins, If ye then be risen with Christ, that’s what he’s referring to.

Seek those things which are above – Finally, the word seek: we began with it and now we return to it. His whole point is Christ is our life, Christ is in heaven; we should therefore seek Christ and heavenly things. Jesus called these things the things of God, Paul called them the things of the Spirit.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth – Amen! Affection is that word phroneo, mind. This is the KVJ; Wycliffe has savor the things above. As I have shown previously this means ‘focus on, pursue, seek’ the things above, not the things on the earth. The contrast, the opposites, are clearly laid out: things above, things on the earth. We are to set our affection on things above because Christ is above, our life is hid with Christ, Christ is our life.

This is an exciting passage because right here the Holy Spirit just lays everything out for us so that we can’t miss it:

3:5  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
3:6  For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
3:7  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
Mortify therefore – here’s the application and our approach to things on the earth

your members on the earth – seeking things above means putting to death things below

fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry – these are the things of earth and they have got to go. These are the things of the flesh. These are sexual sins, because this is the flesh out of control. You may say, "I don’t know what some of these words mean.” Find out, because they gotta go!

I find it exceeding interesting that he includes covetousness in this list, which brings us back to Jesus and lay not up for yourselves treasure upon earth.

3:8  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
3:9  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Ah, Paul is not finished with his list. All these things are the things on the earth, the things below, the things of the flesh. Seeking the things that are above means we must mortify all these.

ye have put off the old man with his deeds – he is changing the picture a little, but this is still baptism talk. The old man is what we were in Adam. On the cross Jesus put the old man to death and in baptism we bury that old man…

3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
3:11  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
…then we are raised to walk in newness of life; we were baptized into Christ and have put on Christ. This is the new man. Christ is all and in all. Amen!

3:12  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
3:13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
3:14  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
3:17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
As I mentioned he changed the picture, the image, the metaphor, but it is still the same thought of setting our affection on things above. This is how we do it! He has told us to mortify some things, put them off, now he tells us what to put on. These are the things above, the things of the Spirit; this is seeking first the kingdom of God!

We might be tempted to think that is the end of it, but he continues with specific, practical matters related to setting our affection on things above:

3:18  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
3:19  Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
3:20  Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
3:21  Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
3:22  Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
4:1  Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

I began with, How do we seek the kingdom? Here’s the answer, plainly spelled out: set my affection on Christ; put off the things that belong to the old man; put on the things that belong to the new man; love my wife (for me as a husband); continue in prayer, and watch in prayer. 

Wow! I’m excited! I’m challenged! Let’s do this! And to end on a high note, you can listen to the song again!

Focusing on, pursuing, seeking the things of the Spirit

This is Part 4 of How do we seek the kingdom of God? All based on Jesus’ words, But seek ye first the kingdom of God. I’ve considered the context (surrounding verses) in both Matthew 6 and Luke 12 where the phrase occurs, provided an explanation of the kingdom of God; and in my last post took a look at Matthew 16:23, thou savourest not the things that be of God. 

That was an interesting jump considering neither seek nor kingdom occur in this verse. How does this have anything to do with seek ye first the kingdom of God? Well, I pointed out that Jesus was saying, “Peter, you’re not focused on the things of God; you’re not pursuing or seeking the things of God.” I believe this is how we seek the kingdom – we focus on the things of God, we pursue, we seek the things of God.

It is interesting that the apostles never quote Matthew 6:33. They may never quote it, but they teach us how to do it! Which brings us to Romans 8. I’m going to skim through the first 14 verses, trusting the Lord that it will all be clear when I’m done!

1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Here is the setting: there is a conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. The flesh is associated with sin and death, the Spirit with life. The Spirit has freed us from the law of sin and death, and when we walk after the Spirit the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us.

5  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
This is what we’re looking for. He does not use the word seek, but it is the same word as in Matthew 16:23, phroneo, which means to focus us, pursue, seek. Those who live after the flesh (according to the flesh, governed by the flesh) focus on, pursue, seek the things of the flesh. Those who live after the Spirit focus on, pursue, seek the things of the Spirit. The things of the Spirit, are they not the things of God? the kingdom of God? I think they are. And I think Paul is teaching us how to seek first the kingdom of God.

The question now from Romans 8 is, What are the things of the flesh? What are the things of the Spirit? Yes indeed. But since Paul himself doesn’t answer that here, neither will I. (I plan to, but not now)

6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Literally, the mind of the flesh…the mind of the Spirit. The mind focused on the flesh, pursuing, seeking the things of the flesh, is death. The mind of the Spirit is life and peace.

7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
The mind of the flesh is hostile to God. It is contrary to God and his ways. In fact, such a mind-set is unable to submit to God.

8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
This is a spiritual condition. The problem is they don’t have the Spirit of God.

9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
This is being born again. I was in the flesh, not willing to submit to God, seeking only to satisfy the desires of my body and my soul; unable to submit to God, and actually hostile toward Him. That’s being spiritually dead. When I was born again the Holy Spirit gave me a new heart, a new spirit, and came to dwell in me. The mind of the Spirit is seeking Him and His ways, which are life and peace. Or, in the words of Christ, Seek ye first the kingdom of God.

10  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
The mind of the Spirit is life and peace. Life, life, life!

12  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
The mind of the flesh - focusing on, pursuing, seeking the things of the flesh – is to live after the flesh, according to the flesh. Live like that and you will die.
The mind of the Spirit – focusing on, pursuing, seeking the things of the Spirit – is to live after the Spirit, according to the Spirit. Live like that and you will live. This means I will mortify the deeds of the body by the power of the Spirit. The deeds of the body are the things of the flesh. They will be more clearly enunciated in my next post.

I am fully persuaded that Paul is describing and explaining seek ye first the kingdom of God. How do we seek kingdom? by focusing on, pursuing, seeking the things of the Spirit. And the Father has given us the Spirit to help us. See? It is the Father’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom!

Next: Colossians 3 Set your affection on things above

Savouring the things that be of God

Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests andmkj scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.  
22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.  
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

This is Part 3 of What does it mean to seek the kingdom? based on Jesus’ statement in Matthew 6:33, But seek ye first the kingdom of God. I am especially concerned with verse 23, for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of man.

Right away and first off, how in the world did I go from seek ye first to thou savourest not? Even though they both start with s, they are not the same English word; nor are they the same Greek word. What gives? Let me explain. 

thou savourest not – What an interesting translation. Even back in 1611 (when the KJV was translated), savour referred to a pleasant taste or smell. My Middle English Dictionary says the verb savourin can also mean ‘to give an appetite to; to have a taste, perception’. Getting closer. Both John Wycliffe (1382) and William Tyndale (1526) translated this verse for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. Clearly it had this shade of meaning. I like it, but I admit it no longer conveys that sense.

This is a translation of the Greek word φρονέω (phroneō) which has to do with the mind and thinking. According to Thayer’s Lexicon the word means:

1. to have understanding, be wise.  2. to feel, to think.  3. to direct one's mind to a thing, to seek or strive for.  

Number 3 is what Jesus is talking about here in Matthew 16. Peter, you’re not focused on the things of God; you’re not pursuing or seeking the things of God.

This is how this is related to Matthew 6:33. We have two options: we either have a mind set on the things of God, whereby we focus on, pursue, seek the things of God, or we have a mind set on the things of man, whereby we pursue, focus on, seek the things of man; and they are opposed to each other. 

I am persuaded that the things of God and the kingdom of God, if not identical, overlap. That’s how I got here; that’s why I believe this helps us understand how we seek the kingdom of God. In this passage the things of God include the cross – Jesus must suffer the cross so we can be saved. The cross is center stage in both the things of God and the kingdom of God.

Jesus went on the say there is a cross for us as well:

16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

This is kingdom teaching. This is how I seek the kingdom of God: deny myself, take up my cross, and follow him.

Next: Romans 8:5-7

What is the kingdom of God?

Yesterday I began looking at Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. I said I was pondering What does it mean to seek the kingdom? What does it look like? How do I actually do this?

In Part 1 I considered the Context of Matthew 6:33. Here in Part 2 I ask (and try to answer!) the question, What is the kingdom of God?

I could write a book about this. Actually, people have. I could go through the New Testament and take a look at every verse in which kingdom of God appears. Both would be too long for this little blog post! Instead, I will attempt to summarize this.

First, the kingdom of God is the subject of Old Testament prophecy. Even though the Old Testament does not use that phrase, it sums up or captures the ideas presented by the prophets. John the Baptist burst on the scene preaching, Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.* Then Jesus began his ministry with the same message. What’s interesting is their Jewish audience never asked, “What are you talking about?” They understood.

Briefly stated the message of the prophets is: There is coming a day when God will restore Israel and save the Gentiles. He will do this through the coming Messiah or Christ. This is the gospel – Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ and he brought the salvation of God to the world. This is the kingdom of God. It has begun in a spiritual way now and will climax when Christ rules on the earth and the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. See Luke 1: 67-79

The kingdom of God will be characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy; first in our hearts and then on the earth. See Romans 14:17

Second, Jesus Preached the kingdom, announcing that the time was fulfilled. He began by saying the kingdom was at hand, then he said it had come (Matthew 12:28) – it is already but not yet. What? Yes, it has begun spiritually in our hearts, it will be visible when he returns.

All his Teaching is about kingdom life – principles, priorities, values of the kingdom; in the sermon on the mount for example, he is setting forth how to live in the kingdom. 

His Ministry of healing and deliverance demonstrated the kingdom, that it is not a matter of words, but it is the power of God to save, heal, and deliver. See 1 Corinthians 4:20

That’s what I am to seek; that’s my priority; that’s my passion; that’s what I am to value most. Righteousness, peace, joy, and power as I live for Jesus now, eagerly anticipating his glorious appearing in the sky when he comes to establish his kingdom on the earth. 

Our Father who art in heaven, 
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. 

Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Next: Savoring the things that be of God

* kingdom of heaven is the same as kingdom of God

Seek ye first the kingdom of God

A couple of weeks ago my pastor preached from Matthew 6, including v 33 where Jesus says, But seek ye first the kingdom of God.” He of course commented on this, but since he was covering verses 19-34, he didn’t dwell on it. This is a well known verse, even a popular chorus (listen here), but I left pondering this verse. What does it mean to seek the kingdom? What does it look like? How do I actually do this? 

I began to meditate on this. Every year during vacation I take a biblical subject or a book and study it; this year was Matthew 6:33. Naturally, I was blessed, but I admit I was also a little surprised by what I saw. The next few posts will be what I saw about seek ye first the kingdom of God. I have 5 posts planned. They are:

(1) The context of Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (as well as Luke 12)

(2) What is the kingdom of God?

(3) Matthew 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

(4) Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

(5) Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Obviously, I will have to explain how I went from Matthew 6:33 to Colossians 3:1-2,  and from seek to savourest to mind to affections - and I will!

1. The context in Matthew 6 and Luke 12

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

The context, as I mentioned earlier, is verses 19-34. The statement, but seek ye first the kingdom of God flows out of what he says in 19-32

First, Treasure, 19-24

19  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

22  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

23  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great [is] that darkness!

24  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also and no man can serve two masters.

Second, take no thought 25-32

25  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27   Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, [shall he] not much more [clothe] you, O ye of little faith?
31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Two therefores! (there is a third when you add v 34) This is obviously the application of treasure and mammon.

Take no thought for your life – don’t be anxious, don’t worry about what ye shall eat, what ye shall drink, what ye shall put on…For after all these things do the Gentiles seek.”

So, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness seems to be set in opposition to living a life devoted or dedicated to earthly pursuits, even necessary ones. And let’s be honest, eating, drinking, and wearing clothes are rather necessary! We also know the nations take even these necessary things to extremes. We could no doubt add the other things the Gentiles seek: pleasure, entertainment, housing, cars, sports, health, politics. Instead of a life devoted to seeking these worldly things and satisfying the lusts of the flesh, Jesus says:

33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

We are to seek the kingdom, pursue, value, prioritize, the kingdom of God.

He gave some helpful hints:

20 lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven

25, 31 take no thought – don’t be anxious or worried about these things

34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof.

Seek ye first is clear, the question now is, What is the kingdom?

But first Luke 12

13-21 warning
13  And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
14  And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
15  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] be merry.
20  But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21  So [is] he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. This is a warning that we especially (in the West) need to heed.

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. This actually sets the stage for seek first the kingdom.

22-30 Therefore. Yep, he is applying this matter of treasure

22  And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
23  The life is more than meat, and the body [is more] than raiment.
24  Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
25  And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
26  If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
27  Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28  If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more [will he clothe] you, O ye of little faith?
29  And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30  For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

Take no thought (22) ends with seek (30), preparing us for

31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you

So far this is similar to Matthew 6: Don’t be consumed with worldly or natural cares, seek the kingdom of God, focus of the kingdom, and these things will be supplied.

32 Provides great comfort: what he is asking you to seek and give priority to, God wants to give you!

33 Practical: how to gain treasure in heaven – sell that ye have and give alms. This is radical.

34 Principle: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also

I’m telling you, seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you is a great promise (and a wonderful song), but this cuts deep into our materialistic culture/society! And we are still faced with the question, What is the kingdom? 

Next: What is the kingdom of God?