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Seek the things that are above

Here are the key verses we studied during today’s Bible study

Col 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

-> As new creations in Christ, we are to seek the things that are above, the things of Christ, the things of God. In contrast, unbelievers are much too concerned about the things of this world, about their needs, troubles and problems. But the more they are concerned about them, the more that they get buried into them.

Joh 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

-> We are no longer of this world. God has chosen us OUT of the world.

Joh 8:23 He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. “

-> We were from below but God has translated us into the kingdom of His Son. We were raised with Christ. We are no longer below; he has brought us up that is why God tells us to seek those things that are above.

Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

-> We do that by renewing our minds by the word of God. God has brought us out of the world and so we must be transformed to no longer conform to it.

Jam 4:4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

-> This world is not of God. Friendship with the world is enmity with God. This is no longer the place that God has for us. He is making new heavens and a new earth.

2Pe 3:13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

-> We also touched on grace.

Rom 5:20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

-> Grace is the unmerited, undeserved favor of God. And grace abounds all the more in the area of our shortcomings. As Paul declares, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” because the power of God is made perfect in weakness. Grace is not related to good deeds, if it were so then it will no longer be grace.
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