The Apostle Paul writing to believers at Colossae gives an imperative (command) to "set your minds (phroneo) on things above, not on earthly things." It is of course Christ who is above and Christ whom they are to set their minds on.
It at first seems strange that believers should have to be commanded by the Apostle to set their minds on Christ, but upon further reflection, it becomes clear that the habit of us humans is to take for granted that which is most valuable to us.
Christ is what is most valuable to believers, and truth be told, we believers take Christ for granted all the time. We take our mind off him. We begin to think less of him, at times forget about him, and what's more, we try to add to Christ our works and philosophies. The believers at Colossae had started to do this. They had started to add to Christ vain philosophies and traditions (Col. 2:8)!
Paul then, knowing all to well the unfortunate habit of humans to wander with their mind and direction of life, gave this imperative to "set your minds upon" Christ in the present tense! This setting of our minds is to be continuous! It is not merely one event but a continuous action on our behalf to set our minds on Christ. It is to be our lifestyle! Our rhythm of life!
When we keep our head, eyes, and mind lifted upward into the face of our blessed Redeemer the trials, temptations, and hardships of this life will fade away. When we consider the cross and the beating Jesus took for our redemption; that he became a curse; the incredible humble act of veiling the God of glory in a human body; our hardships, temptations and trials fade away.
When our mind is fixed on the risen glory of Christ, we are empowered to live in a godly manner, even in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation. Christ becomes our ever-burning passion, our vision of love, mercy, and power. A mind that is fixed on Christ is not easily snared and lost in the depravity of this world. A mind fixed on Christ is constant, steadfast and sure. It is like the Rock of Gibraltar, unshaken by the storms, winds, and waves of the sea.
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