Christ is in no way equal to the angels. In Colossae they see to have had a problem with people worshiping angels. Later it became so out of control that Michael seems to have been worshiped in a cult in the area. Paul wants to counter this trend and so he spends the earlier chapters of Colossians showing how far superior Christ is. When the Colossians are asked to fix their hearts and minds on things above, the inference is that they are to fix their hearts on the throneroom where Christ is seated without equal. Christians are folded into Christ and Christ is folded into the Father.Our minds are to contemplate the deep truths of who Jesus is and in reaction everything that detracts from Christ is killed without compramise or mercy.
Colossians 3:1-17
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Questions
1. Why should we set our minds on things above?
2. What is contrasted with things above?
3. What has happened to your life?
4. Is your life compeletely focused on following Christ?
5. Why is it difficult to focus on unsen things?
Plymothian 