We just finished up a mini-series on “The End Times” with our High School Sunday School class . . . particularly focused, as you might expect, on the Revelation recorded by John. Throughout the lessons we’ve emphasized that we were studying prophecy for three reasons: 1) it’s in the Bible . . . a lot of Scripture deals with what is yet to come; 2) it comes with the promise of blessing (Rev. 3:1) . . . and we can all do with a blessing; 3) and, perhaps most importantly it should impact behavior . . . “what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for the hastening of the coming of the day of God” (2Peter 3:11-12). So, at the end of each lesson, I’ve tried to ask “So what?” . . . what difference does it make here and now knowing about that which will occur there and then? After our last lesson on heaven, I posed the question this way, “Can we really be, as some would suggest, so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good?” My cut? I don’t think so.

What brought this to mind this morning? Something that stood out to me as I started in on Colossians this morning . . .

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.   (Colossians 1:3-5a ESV)

There’s a cause and effect in Paul’s offering of thanks to the the Father. He thanks God first that, by His grace, faith had come to the city of Colossae . . . that, through the gospel, a group of men, women, and children had been delivered “from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of His beloved Son” . . . that they were counted among the redeemed . . . that they had known the forgiveness of sins (1:13-14). Paul then also thanks God for the love these believers showed to one another . . . i.e. the effect. And what was the cause? What was it that compelled them to affectionately express charity towards one another? ” . . . because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.”

Because of anticipation, there was action. Because of expectation there was effort. Because of the promise there was the pursuit. Because they believed that an inheritance awaited them . . . because they embraced that they were part of a kingdom not of this world . . . because they looked forward to a day when they would be going home . . . because they longed to behold the One who died for them face to face . . . they were determined, as much as lied within them through the power of the Spirit, . . . to live for a future reward . . . to walk as strangers and pilgrims in a foreign land . . . to live out “family values” on a day to day basis . . . to want to please Him that, by His grace and for His glory, they might hear on that day, “Well done!”

The more I live in light of what awaits me, the hope laid up for me in heaven, the more I’ll walk as Jesus wants me to walk. It will be seen in my love for the saints . . . it will be evident in a concern for the lost . . . it will be manifested in my priorities . . . it will be evident in what I do and why I do it.

Oh, that I might be more heavenly minded . . .

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.   (Colossians 3:1-4 ESV)