“Where Have You Set Your Heart And Mind?”

“Where Have You Set Your Heart And Mind?”(Col.3:1-4).
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
There are two interpretations to this few but pregnant verses of the New Testament (NT). One interpretation strongly motivated monastic life as it stresses ascetic way of life.
Apart from the monastics, the Jehovah Witnesses, as well as the neo-pentecostals, are also strongly motivated by this interpretation.
This interpretation says to “set your minds on things above and not on earthly things” means turning your back on all worldly pursuits and focusing on Christ in a life of contemplation and prayer.
The early Christians were motivated by this understanding of setting one’s mind on things above. They sold their properties and brought the money to the apostles because they were turning their backs on earthly things. Besides, they thought Christ was returning soon. They were selling to fools who would lose everything at the return of Christ.
It is true that we are not of this world, but while we are here, we belong to this world. Imagine what would have become of Jesus’ corpse if the “rich man” Joseph of Arimathea had not asked for Jesus’ body and laid it in his tomb!
Considering that Paul already argued against extreme asceticism in chapter two of Colossians, the other interpretation says, true “setting the mind on things above” is about an internal change which enables the believer to approach life with a Christlike attitude.
We cannot remain in only prayer and contemplation detached from politics and all that cobstitutes human development and advancement.
When we set our minds on things above, we engage with all our daily activities with the fear of God. We have to make this place better than how we met it; so long as it serves human needs and provides hope for the hopeless. My friend, providing service and hope to humanity in the spirit of Christ, should be our motivation.
Contemplation and prayer cannot put food on your table and provide help to the needy. Fix your heart’s gaze on Christ because tomorrow is not actually yours! Set your heart on Christ so that if tomorrow never comes for you, you will know that you will be with Christ in whom your life has been hidden.
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit, guide my path for a closer walk with Christ. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
10/04/2026.