If you then were raised with Christ, desire those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on earth. 3 For you are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Col. 3:1-3)
As a born-again child of God, your spirit is seated together with Christ in the heavenlies. At the moment of salvation, spiritually your life was taken out of this world. Positionally, you are already in the heavenlies in spirit, though you still inhabit the earth in body. You became a citizen of heaven.
You came alive to the heavenly life. Your mind was opened to understand God, his desires, and his will. You became a partaker of the divine nature. Crucified with Christ to your previous life and the present world. You transcended the earth and your life was transformed. If you are growing in Christ, then your earthly life is in the process of becoming what it already is positionally.
At the moment of salvation, you entered into a spiritual relationship with God. You maintain the “capacity” to live consciously in his presence. To be preoccupied with Christ and focus on heavenly things.
We have the opportunity to remain in the heavenly presence of God. While walking on earth, to be used by him to accomplish his purposes. To see the world from His perspective; to better carry out his will on earth. To live out the resurrected life.
Our “real” life is in Heaven, with our minds occupied with Christ and the heavenlies. Constantly “seeking” things above by constantly thinking about them. Embracing his values, such as love, kindness and forgiveness. Desiring the things that he desires. Seeing people, things and events the way Jesus sees them.
How do we know his values? His desires? How can we know what God knows, thinks and feels? Primarily, he has revealed this to us in his Word. We preoccupy our mind with his Word. We talk with Him in prayer.
We’re positioned to dwell in the heavenlies, to gaze upon God, to partake of all that belongs to Christ. And from that position, return to the world and make a heavenly impact. To make the difference that only God could make working through us.
---Beverly Nickles
(Acknowledging inspiration gained from John MacArthur sermon “Living the Risen Life”.)