“Some people are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.” Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Have you ever heard the above statement before? Many times, when we hear this quote, people are complaining that Christ-followers are not concerned about the condition of mankind or planet earth. Our heads are in the clouds, and we would prefer to be in another place. So, therefore, Christ-followers don’t contribute to the betterment of life.

I invite you to consider this statement in place of the one above. BE heavenly minded, so you can BE earthly good.

Readout loud Colossians 3:1-4,

Therefore if (or since) 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.
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is our life, is revealed,
then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

When we accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, we spiritually entered His death and resurrection. Colossians 3:3, “you have died.” Colossians 3:1, “you have been raised up with Christ.” (See Romans 6:3-4 and Galatians 2:20.) The result? Our lives are hidden with Christ in God, Colossians 3:3. Being alive in Him allows us to understand spiritual truths, realities, blessings, and the will of God. God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing (see Ephesians 1:3). These blessings are the privileges and riches of the heavenly kingdom, all of which are at our disposal.

God didn’t give us this new life to keep to ourselves. He wants us to give it away. If we are really serious about living the new resurrection life with Jesus, we need to act like it. It begins by continually seeking the things above. Pursue the things over which Jesus presides. Don’t get caught up or absorbed by what is going on in this world that you can see, hear and touch. Look up. Set your mind on the things above and be alert to what is going on around Jesus. Seek first God’s kingdom and His way of doing things (see Matthew 6:33). See things from God’s perspective (see Romans 8:5, 12:2; Philippians 1:23, 4:8; 1 John 2:15-17).

Is the world a mess? Yes. It was a mess when Jesus lived on this planet. Remember, Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world. He didn’t show up on the scene to point an accusing finger and tell people how bad they were (see John 3:17). AND . . . neither should we! Jesus came to save the world! He came that people might have life and have it abundantly (see John 10:10). Jesus wants you and I to be conduits of His mercy, grace, and love. 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Matthew 28:19, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations . . .”

The more we understand our new life in Jesus, the more we understand who God made us to be, the more we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, the more we allow Jesus to change and direct our lives, the more impact we will have on this world and the people God allows us to influence.

So . . . be EXTREMELY heavenly minded, then you will be EXTREMELY earthly good.

Pastor Tom