I remember reading many years ago in a devotion, “Christians don’t have an attitude problem; they have an altitude problem.” Meaning, those who have been raised up with Christ have moved to a different domain and should not be overly occupied with the things on earth. While we need food, drink, shelter, and community to exist in this world, they are not our life, nor should they be our primary focus. Jesus Christ is our life (Col. 3:4), and our life is in Him. Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of God in heaven; this is where the believer’s life exists.

There are those who will judge you for being too religious or high minded in your thinking. They may even quote Oliver Wendell Holmes and say, “you are so heavenly minded you are no earthly good.” Instead of taking this as a condemning statement, take it as a compliment and agree with them in theory. My life is hidden in Christ and not in this world (Col. 3:4); therefore, there is nothing in this world that is essential for my eternal existence. Paul would say, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21). It is not that the Christ-follower is “no earthly good,” but the Christ-follower is “not seeking his good from this earth.”

Christian values are to be different from those of the world. Creation will pass away, and only the things of God will remain. The unbeliever will pass away as part of the fallen creation. Therefore the believer is to reflect the glory of Christ in this world by focusing on the things above and the rule of Christ from heaven so that the unbeliever might be saved. Being heavenly minded means focusing on the Lordship of Jesus and reflecting His glory on earth the same way Jesus reflected the glory of His father toward mankind.