Based on Colossians 3:1-11 (New King James Version)
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.”
I believe that all of us that have come to Christ have the desire to get to heaven to be with Him, right? And if that is the case, we should then understand the implications of that. The issue is that, to be able to get there, we need to then have our eyes placed on Him and look for what belongs to Him. But, if there is indecision, if there are doubts, if there isn’t a true desire, then how will a person get there? And this is the big problem that exists within God’s people, with those that say that believe, that say that they follow Christ, but that what is being said and what is being done are two completely different things. What is being said does not agree with what is being done, and in the end, what matters are the actions. And an even greater problem, a gospel that is intermingled with worldliness is preached many times which feeds that indecision that some people have. Many times, a worldly gospel is taught so the masses that desire this and the other can be attracted. But, there can be no second guessing when following Christ, no lukewarm feelings or flirting with one and the other. The doctrine that many times is communicated helps to foster a spiritually fornicating and adulterous people, and if we understood what we read today, we simply cannot live life in this manner. In the end, whether it is preached or followed, both the one that teaches to take advantage of people just like the person that likes this lifestyle, if they like garbage, then garbage is what they will have. But, in order for this ministry to fulfill God’s purpose, we need to give God’s counsel with the same hope God has, that if there are those that do not know simply know the truth of Christ, or those that desire to repent from their evil ways, that they both can be able to find themselves with that Truth and that they may live it so that they can really get to what is hoped for.
The first point is that it is necessary to leave behind the desire for what is material, because the material is precisely just that: material. And because it is material, sooner or later, it will go. And, how can we put our trust and our desire on something superficial and temporary? The Bible teaches us this: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21. “When you sit down to eat with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you; and put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food. Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.” Proverbs 23:1-5. “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” 1 Timothy 6:6-11. There is no need for a great theological discussion with the issue. The Word is very clear. We need to be careful with putting forth more effort than necessary for material things. Do we need to work? Of course, we do! The Gospel of Christ does not teach laziness or irresponsibility. But we must simply fight, with the Lord’s guidance, for what is necessary, not for what is desired, because they are two completely different things.
Aside from the material, we need to leave behind everything else that consists of the works of the flesh or sinful desires. Because again, if we truly desire to get to the kingdom of God, then why should we continue desiring what is here? Why have our eyes set on the things of the world? The Word also teaches us this: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21. If we do not leave the works of the flesh behind, we will simply not inherent the kingdom of God. No matter how much a person says that they want to be with the Lord, if their actions, if their lifestyle shows something else, then there is no way that they will get to heaven. This is the grave danger with the wrong that is being taught, with a gospel that justifies sin and that uses wrongly God’s Word to teach how to acquire earthly things. The focus of all wholesome teaching must always, 100% of the time, lead towards Christ, towards His kingdom, it must agree with the fullness of God’s Word. You cannot use God’s things to achieve earthly goals, because no matter how much they may be Biblical concepts, if the goal is another, then that neither glorifies God, and least of all, benefits the soul and spirit of a person. If you fight for what is earthly, if the goal is temporal, then that is what you are going to receive; no more, no less. For it is written: “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.” Matthew 16:25-27.
If we desire to get to the eternal goal, to Jesus, then we need to walk towards Him, and our lifestyle should be His things, and that they be implemented while being focused on Him, as it is also written: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25. No one can defy what is universally established; that what is sown is what shall be reaped. So then, are you walking towards Jesus or something else? Lord bless! John