Heavenly things or earthly things

"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Col 3:1-3)

There are things that are heavenly and things earthly. There is right thinking and wrong thinking; right living and wrong living. If our conscience is not "seared with a hot iron" (1 Tim. 4:2) then we can discern between the two and choose... yes choose, the way of righteousness (Prov. 12:28).

The way of Christ then requires effort on our part; in fact a great deal of effort on our part. Living for Christ demands faith to keep looking up when circumstances or people all around you are looking down on you... looking up... looking to Jesus Christ. It means turning from base thoughts to thinking on those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and good (Phil. 4:8). It means turning from self to Christ and repenting when you've missed the mark and doing so over and over and over again until pride is crushed and self-will is in shambles and in your weakness--the character of Christ is formed.

Should not the Christian be like Christ? Have we died to self and our life hidden with Christ in God? If so, then why do we care so about the world? Why are Christians angry so at the leadership that God instituted? Does not God raise up one and bring down another? Is not the king's heart in the hand of the Lord-can't He turn His decisions however He chooses? (Prov. 21:1)

And what of the Kingdom of God? While the world rules your thoughts and anger your emotions what of those suffering for the sake of Christ? Do we remember them in our prayers? Can we pray in sweetness for their sake while cursing the king... I think not (James 3:11). And what of our brother who suffers need? Do we say, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled"? Are we not our brothers keeper? Or, will we hoard our treasures up for ourselves as we see even more precarious days approaching or will we meet a need?

"Will we set our mind on the things above" or things on the earth?