As followers of Yeshua, we no longer find our identity in this world but rather through our spiritual union with our ascended LORD (Gal. 2:20; 6:14; Eph. 1:3; 2:6)… As our Lord said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” (Luke 9:23-25).
Therefore “seek the things that are above (τὰ ἄνω ζητεῖτε) where the Messiah is seated at the right hand of God,” and focus our thoughts on the things above – not on things here on earth – for we have died, and our lives have been hidden (κέκρυπται) with Messiah in God. Then when the Messiah, who is our life, appears, we too will appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:1-4).