by Ed Ostrom

Created on: February 10, 2010

The Apostle Paul declares in Colossians 3:1-4 “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, and sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on the things on the earth, for you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

The footnote on these verses, in my Spirit Life Bible says “For Paul demonstrating the life changing power of the Gospel is equally as important as defending it against error. The Colossians are able to fulfill the command daily to display their attention and affection toward spiritual things because of their identification with Christ by death to the past and their empowerment for the present by the resurrection of Jesus.”

In order to know the blessing of the presence of God in our daily lives and experience the fruit of divine empowerment we need to fix our thoughts on Jesus. That is why the Writer to the Hebrews exhorts us in Hebrews 12:1-2 “ Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses      let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us  run with endurance the race that is set before  us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the  throne of God.”

In the Scriptures God says what He means and He means what He says. He is telling us here if we want success in our Christ following we need to understand that we must look to Jesus Christ. We must pattern our lives after Him. We must center our thoughts on Jesus and seek to live for Him and His glory. We need to understand that “fruitage in the Spirit” requires   root age in the Spirit.”  If I desire to produce spiritual fruit in my life and live in consistent daily victory I must be grounded firmly in the Spirit of God. I must look to Jesus and seek to be like Him.

The Song Book of the Church is filled with pithy faith stretching prayers that enable me to grow in the Lord and be in the position God desires me to be. For example consider these words by Helen Lemmell:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the Light of His glory and grace.

Or this chorus by Max Feener

Make me more like Thee Jesus,

Make me more like Thee,

Give me a heart that’s filled with Love

And make me more like Thee.

In order to grow in the Lord Christ Followers must always look to the Lord Jesus. He is our goal. He is our pattern for Living. We must center our thoughts on the Lord. As the writer to Hebrews counsels us “Looking unto Jesus.”

My Spirit Life Bible notes on Hebrews 12:1-3 “How to develop Dynamic Discipleship. The disciple is an apprentice to Jesus learning to live as He did. Discard any attitude or practice that hinders your walk with Christ. Model your life after Jesus. Give careful thought and study to the life of Jesus for encouragement in your struggle with sin.”

To grow in the Lord we must fix our thoughts on Him. Paul tells us in Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus our Lord. Truly may we set our mind on Him and may we become more like Him. May we find victory in Jesus.

Learn more about this author, Ed Ostrom.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.