The Higher Things

I've been struck over and over again by this verse in scripture. Paul says "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Paul pretty clearly defines what our thoughts should be about. Colossians 3:2 says "And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth." As followers of Jesus we're called to keep our minds and thoughts on the higher things, on the things above. Not on earthly distractions. We're made for the higher things. So that's where our minds and hearts should be focused.

This morning when I was spending time with Jesus, I felt prompted to look up the definition of each of the words Paul uses in Philippians 4:8. Here is the list of definitions I found:

true: in accordance with fact or reality
honorable: deserving or winning honor or respect; beyond reproach, blameless
just: based on what is morally right and fair
pure: not mixed or adulterated with any other substance or material; free from dirt or taint; clean
lovely: exquisitely beautiful; inspiring love or affection
commendable: deserving praise; represented as worthy, qualified or desirable
excellent: extremely good; of the highest or finest quality
praiseworthy: deserving approval and admiration

Each of these words points to the higher things. Things higher than ourselves. For we have the honor and privilege of giving ourselves to something bigger than us: the Kingdom of God. Our thoughts belong in the higher places. For if we keep them on earthly things, it inhibits us from dwelling on and in the higher things.

Did you know you were made for the higher things? You were made to be in relationship with the God of the universe, who is ABOVE ALL THINGS! You belong to a God who values you. When we catch a hold of our identity then it prompts us to look above rather than below. It shifts our gaze from downward on ourselves to upward on Jesus. So let us be people who dwell on the higher things. Because that's what we were made for.