Keep seeking the things above! (2)

[Colossians 3:1-4]

Second, let's reflect on what “the things above" that we should continue seeking are.

Look at Colossians 3:1-2: "Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."  Perhaps many of the believers favor the hymn "I’m Pressing on the Upward Way."  I, too, like this hymn, especially its second verse: "My heat has no desire to stay Where doubts arise and fears dismay; Tho' some may dwell where these abound, My prayer, my aim, is higher ground."  The reason I like this verse is that, even though I live in a world filled with doubts and fears, my heart longs to live by aiming for the "higher ground," the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, I also appreciate the third verse of the hymn "The Bright, Heavenly Way”: “Drawing nearer to that city Yet seen by faith alone, Longing for the Father's mansions And rest before the throne, All unworthy though I be There is welcome there for me, For the King is our own Jesus, Lord and Savior of His own.”  Additionally, the words from Hebrews 11:16 about the ancestors of faith come to mind: "But they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."  This "city" is referred to in Revelation 21:2 as the holy city, the new Jerusalem.

Looking at Colossians 3:1-2, Apostle Paul admonishes the saints in the Colossian and Laodicean churches and those who have not seen his face (2:1) to continue to think about and seek the things above (3:1-2).  In these two verses, the term "the things above" is used in the Revised Korean Bible, while in the Modern Korean Bible, the term "the things above" is used in verse 1, and in verse 2, "things in heaven" is used.  When we examine the original Greek, we find that it is the same word in both instances.  Therefore, it is appropriate for the Revised Korean Bible to translate it consistently as "the things above."  However, I wondered why the Modern Korean Bible chose to translate it as "the things above" in verse 1 and as "the things in heaven" in verse 2.  Furthermore, I found the translation of "the things in heaven" to be reasonable.  The first reason for my thought is from the latter part of Colossians 3:1 in the Modern Korean Bible: "...where Christ is seated at the right hand of God."  Here, "there" refers to “the things above” (vv. 1, 2), and it indicates that Christ is seated on the right hand of God in the heavenly places (v. 1).  My second reason is from John 8:23: "Jesus said to them, 'You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world'."  In this statement, Jesus is saying that He is "from above," indicating "not of this world" but rather 'from another world' or 'the coming world.'  Galatians 4:26 describes this "above" as "the Jerusalem above" (Revised Korean Bible) or "heavenly Jerusalem" (Modern Korean Bible).  If we express this in the words of Revelation 22:2, it is the "holy city, the new Jerusalem" coming down from heaven.

Then, what is “the things above” or "the things in heaven" that we should continue to seek, according to Colossians 3:1-2?  When pondering this question, I recall the Lord's Prayer: "...Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven..." (Mt. 6:9-10).  Thinking about the words of the Lord's Prayer that Jesus taught us, I believe "the things above" or "the things in heaven" that Apostle Paul refers to in Colossians 3:1-2 encompass two aspects: (1) the kingdom of God ("your kingdom come") and (2) the will of God ("your will be done on earth as it is in heaven").  When considering "the things above" or "the things in heaven" that we should continually seek, focusing on "the kingdom of God," we must pay attention to Jesus' words in Matthew 6:33: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  In other words, we are to continually seek the kingdom of God.  In the context of Colossians 3:1-2, "the things above" or "the things in heaven" that we should seek are indeed "the kingdom of God" or "the heavenly kingdom" (Mt. 3:2, Modern Korean Bible).  Second, "the things above" or "the things in heaven" that we should continually seek are "the will of God."  This divine will is already accomplished in heaven, as indicated by the Lord's Prayer.  Therefore, our prayers involve the fulfillment of God's will, which has already been established in heaven, on this earth as well.  Thus, Jesus, on the night before His crucifixion, earnestly prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will" (Mt. 26:39, New International Korean Version).

We are to continually think about and seek the things above (Col. 3:2).  This means that we should persistently focus on and seek two main aspects: (1) the Kingdom of God ("your kingdom come") and (2) the will of God ("your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven") as taught in the Lord's Prayer (Mt. 6:9-10).  Seeking the Kingdom of God implies consistently thinking about and seeking the reign of the Lord, who is the King of the Kingdom.  Furthermore, persistently seeking the will of God means embracing Jesus' twofold commandment, where we are to love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds and love our neighbors as ourselves (Mt. 22:37, 39).  By doing so, we align ourselves with the Lord's Prayer, praying for the realization of God's Kingdom and will on earth as it is in heaven (6:10).