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).
It is a spiritual decision to “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matt. 6:33), which means that we attach ourselves to God, esteeming the unseen and the eternal as more real than the seen and the temporal (2 Cor. 4:18). Turn away therefore from worldly news and gossip; these ephemeral affairs are empty, vain, and devoid of ultimate significance. Redirect your thoughts toward heaven. Understand that you belong to God and that your true home is in the world to come. Affirm this truth over and over until it becomes a part of your daily soul… Put away the “old nature” – all those labels and judgments the vain world system (העולם השקרי) uses to define you – and open your heart to the true radiance and peace of God instead (Col. 3:15). As it is written: “You will keep in perfect peace (i.e., שלום שלום, “the peace of peace”) the one who leans on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever and ever, for in Yah the LORD (יה יהוה) is the Rock of Ages” (Isa. 26:3-4).
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