So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things – anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free: but Christ is all and in all!

Colossians 3:1-11

Whether you are landing a plane, driving on an icy road, swimming when a wave is about to hit you, we are taught to focus straight ahead. Don’t focus on the edges. Don’t focus on the obstacle or the danger, just plunge forward. If you keep your eye on the hazard you will eventually hit it dead center. Focus beyond the hazard. There is a basic principle in the Bible. Instead of concentrating on the sins we want to avoid, we are told to focus on the positive actions Christ desires for us. Paul has told us to focus on things above, not things of this earth. We are told to discard old ways of thinking and acting and put on new ways of living. When Christ and His interests are the focus of our lives, the lure of the old life remains in the corner of our eye, while we aim to land squarely in the center of God’s will.

Those who fix their eyes on heaven

will not be distracted with the things of earth.

Our Daily Bread – February 6, 2004