Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV) Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

There is a popular saying about Christians who, in some people’s opinion, tend to focus so much on their relationship with Jesus that they are of no use to the people around them. Of these Christians it is said that they are so heavenly-minded that they are no earthly good. But nothing can be further from the truth than that statement.

Admittedly, there are people that try hard to appear very spiritual but who actually are not. They talk a good game, but their words don’t match their actions. Their heavenly mindedness is put on and not the real thing. These people muddy the waters for what the truth is, which is that if you are going to be a force for good in this world, it begins with a heavenly mindset. The reason for this is that since we all have a sinful nature (Romans 3:23), our hearts are not focused on doing good in the world. Our hearts are focused on what we want out of life and what makes us feel good. While we may do a good thing here and there, it is not our focus. Once we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, however, all of that changes.

When your eyes have been opened, your focus shifts from what you want that this world offers to what you can do to help others find the truth that you have found that has set you free. Your heart is drawn to things above because that is where the God that you now love lives and reigns. As you set your heart on the things of heaven, you become more caring and more concerned about the people around you. Your focus ceases to be your own needs and wants and you become more and more like Jesus. When Jesus came to this earth in bodily form, His entire focus was on helping and serving others with the goal of opening their eyes to their need of a Savior. This was so much so that He spoke some incredible words that I still have difficulty wrapping my mind around. He said that He didn’t come to be served, but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom so that others may live (Matthew 20:28). That is God talking! God didn’t come to be served? He came to serve us? What other people’s god has ever said anything close to that (although there is no other God but God)?

That is exactly why becoming heavenly-minded will absolutely cause you to do earthly good. That is the result of our salvation and of our faith in Jesus. As a matter of fact, Jesus prepared things in advance for us to do that will do a lot of earthly good and that will bring glory and honor to His name (Ephesians 2:10). There is no other way to be consistent with doing good on this earth than to have our hearts and our minds set on heaven, where Jesus reigns in all His glory. Set you mind and heart on things above and you will be positioned for doing a ton of good on this earth. You will help a lot of people, you will please the Lord Jesus and you will hear, “well done good and faithful servant,” when you see Him face to face.

Pastor Joey Vazquez