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If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4

Our constant struggle in life is to keep our focus. Too often we look out rather than up. We forget our first love, then wonder what happened when we find ourselves below the surface struggling for air. Over the past few posts we discussed being separate in our lifestyle from that of the world. But, there is a major element to this that cannot be ignored, and is found within this text in Colossians and elsewhere.

When I was dealing with temptation, and the years of spasmodic Christianity, what was my focus? When I was high on God I was high. But, then temptation came, and I would say I can't do that or I need to remove myself from this.I..I...I... That is just it. When the time came to stand I would turn my focus inward on myself, rather than on Christ. Of course I would fall, I had lost focus. When we come to this understanding that our focus at all times should be on the King of Kings, it makes it all so much easier. 

If, when the time comes for us to go through trials and temptations, we have praise of Christ in our mouths, His word in our hearts, and our eyes on Him, it is all much easier to stand up against. James 1 makes so much more sense with this viewpoint. "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

How can we continue to look at ourselves as though we have the power and ability. It is not  us, but Christ in us. Our Helper, the Holy Spirit. Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet no I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." We are able to take up the shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of the enemy according to Ephesians, but many times our faith is weak. Again, why? Because our focus is not correct. How many Christians honestly can tell you how to build faith? I have heard many different answers, but Paul tells us himself in Romans 10:17. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." So the only weapon given to us, the Sword of the Spirit, and the shield of faith are interconnected it would seem. We hear, read, assimilate the word of God, which builds our faith, strengthens our shield, and at the same time trains us in a sense, in the use of our sword.  

What is the key to all this though. It is all with our focus on our Coming King, Jesus Christ. "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:20-21 

 Too often we forget that this is a real relationship with a very real God, and a real Jesus that really died and rose again. Relationships take work, but this one is different than any other, and should be pursued beyond anything else in this world. Let us hold to the mindset that whatsoever we do, we do it heartily, as to the Lord as in Colossians 3. We must at all times keep the understanding that we are dead to this world, and alive in Christ; and that our ability, to carry out His Great Commission, rests on whether our focus is on Him. Christ MUST be our first love.