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b'You might have been told by people in church to try your best and forget about \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153earthly things\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d (i.e., anything that is fun or enjoyable) and focus your attention on \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153heavenly things\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d (stuff like singing in church). Don\\u2019t do it, at least not in the sense that they mean.\\nThe reason Paul tells us to \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153seek those things which are above\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d is that Jesus Christ, after He rose from the dead and defeated death forever, ascended into heaven (Colossians 3:1). That is, in fact, where He is to this day. But Jesus\\u2019 ascension to heaven wasn\\u2019t a return journey, at least not exactly.\\nJesus has always existed, being God Himself, but His human nature was ascending to God\\u2019s space for the first time. The dust of earth has been exalted to heaven in Jesus\\u2014who is fully God and fully human.\\nPaul actually says we need to set our minds on Christ, who is in heaven. \\nChrist, who is human as we are. Who is of the earth as we are (John 1:14). \\nPaul is not telling us to avoid setting our minds on things that pertain to Earth the planet. This is because, although Jesus has ascended to heaven, that is not where He is going to stay.When the time comes, He will return to Earth and He will raise the bodies of His people from death (Romans 8:19-24; Revelation 21:1-5). He will reign and rule on the made-new Earth forever and ever.\\nSo set your mind on Jesus, the earthy King of Earth. Rejoice in the victory He has won over sin and death and eagerly anticipate His glorious return. \\u2022 Kevin Zeller\\n\\u2022 What do most people mean when they say to focus on \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153heavenly things\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d? Does this match what the Bible says? \\n\\u2022 Reread today\\u2019s Bible passage. We live in a world broken by sin. In our lives, what sort of things might be \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153earthly\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\u2014opposed to Christ and His reign (Colossians 3:5-17)? \\nIf then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1 (NKJV)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nColossians 3:1-17'