Heavenly Mindedness

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” ~Colossians 3:2

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “He’s so heavenly minded he’s of no earthly good.” Maybe you’re familiar with its opposite: “He’s so earthly minded he’s of no heavenly good.” Both highlight real issues and give us reason to assess our own lives. Are we thinking of heaven so much that we fail to contribute to the advancement of Christ’s kingdom here on earth? On the other hand, are we so consumed with the things of earth that we fail to store up treasure in heaven (Matt. 6:19-21)? While both of these phrases have some value in shaping our hearts and our lives, I think we need a completely different perspective altogether. 

What if we came to realize that it’s only the heavenly-minded person that is of any real earthly good? In other words, it is the heavenly-minded person — the one who has set his or her mind on things above and the One who is there reigning on His throne — who realizes what are his or her duties here on earth. It is the one who rightly and regularly meditates on and worships the King of heaven who seeks to be of good to the world God created and the people who dwell upon it. It is the heavenly minded that cares for God’s creation, his own neighbor, and the public witness of the church. In reality, the “heavenly-minded person” that’s of no earthly good isn’t really heavenly minded at all!

When Jesus prayed for His followers in John 17, He didn’t ask that we would be taken out of the world. Rather, we are left here in the world as His representatives, as His ambassadors (1 Cor. 5:20). We are, therefore, to care for our cities, love our neighbors, spread Christ’s gospel, and be a blessing to all people. It is for earthly good that we are here, while simultaneously seeking the advancement of heaven’s kingdom from pole to pole. In order to be of earthly good, we must have the mind of heaven’s King — the one who is right now ruling over His creation and who commissions us to go out into the world as His body.

Think about the person you know who is frequently praying, daily spending time in the Word of God, weekly attending corporate worship, and often speaking of eternity. Is that person the one who rarely thinks to extend hospitality to a new neighbor, bring a meal over for a sick friend, or offer assistance to a struggling co-worker? Far from it! This heavenly-minded saint is the one who is most likely to be of earthly good in these ways, and by doing so, he or she is likewise being of heavenly good, as others are seeing these good works and giving glory to our Father who is in heaven (Matt. 5:16). 

Let us resolve to be thinking of heaven and heaven’s King more often so that our work and witness here on earth would be good for our neighbor and glorifying to our Savior. 

Rev. Kyle W. A. Lockhart, Pastor