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. 

                                                                                                            Colossians 3:1-2 

We’ve already seen that the ability to forget, by putting the past behind us, is essential in pursing diligence in the faith. Today we will add the other ingredient necessary for diligence: focus. On what do you spend most of your time focusing? This world provides us with a variety of things in which to keep us occupied, some beneficial, others not so much. In today’s passage, we are reminded to “keep seeking the things above or the things of heaven.” He also reminds us to “set our minds on the things above, not on the things of earth.” What we choose to focus our minds on will dictate how we spend our time, our money, and our lives. Being in the world but not of the world is an important part of the Christian life. Consider the following:

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

                                                                                                            1 John 2:15-17 

John reminds us that if we love the things of the world, the love of the Father is not in us. Although some people might try to live for God and live for the things of the world simultaneously, this is spiritually impossible (Matthew 6:24). At some point the decision will be made to pursue one or the other. We are either seeking God and His will or that of the world, but we cannot do both. James gives us reasons to abandon the ways of the world and embrace faith in Jesus Christ:

You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

                                                                                                                   James 4:4 

Friendship with the world means that we are hostile to God. Again, a choice must be made. Friendship with the world means that we are making ourselves enemies of God. The word used in this passage means to be at enmity with God. It carries with it hatred, animosity, and antagonism toward God.

So Paul instructs us to seek the things above and to set our minds on them and this instruction comes with a promise. Jesus tells us not to worry about our lives the same way that those without Christ tend to worry. Money, prosperity, and wealth consume some people to the point that they cannot even see the things of God. Jesus says that He knows what we need and as we seek His kingdom first, making it a priority, and focusing our minds on Him, He will provide everything we need in life. Consider the following:

Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

                                                                                                               Matthew 6:31-33 

Diligence in the faith requires focus and that focus must be on God and the things that are eternal. By living our lives with a focus on eternity, we can be assured that we will be living meaningful, powerful, and effective lives for the kingdom. With all diligence, focus your mind on Jesus, seeking and setting your mind on the things above, and watch Him do amazing things through your life!

Ask (keep asking), and it will be given to you; seek (keep seeking), and you will find; knock (keep knocking), and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                           Matthew 7:7-8