Have you ever lay awake at night wondering what Heaven is like? Trying to imagine everything perfect can take your mind into a whirlwind! It is so hard to imagine because everything around us is the opposite of Heaven. Colossians 3:1-2 gives us a command to think upon the things above, to put our affections there and not here, but how do we do that?
Colossians 3:1-2 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
First, we are to conform our desires, attitudes, and actions to the image of Christ. We are to love what Jesus loves, to view everything in our daily life from His perspective. Now, you are probably thinking, “I may as well hit the escape button because this is impossible.” Don’t! God never commanded us to do anything without making it possible to do.
Several years back the phrase WWJD became very popular. People wore bracelets, t-shirts and signed their names with WWJD. They used the phrase daily. The problem was most had no idea what they were really saying. The phrase meant, What Would Jesus Do? It became a catchphrase that became trivial and it lost its true impact. The phrase came from the book “In His Steps”, written by Charles Sheldon in 1896. It has sold over thirty million copies. It is a book written about a small town where a singer, a newspaper editor, a pastor, and a real estate mogul vow to walk “in the steps of Jesus.” Every day and every decision,` becomes a turning point in their lives, as they must ask themselves…”What Would Jesus Do?” It literally transforms the whole town. What a novel thought!
Second, to know what Jesus would do we must study. The Bible is very clear on Jesus’ reaction to everything. His attitude is love for all. Not love for their actions, but love for their soul. He loved them so much that he was willing to pay the ultimate price for their salvation. His word also makes it clear he hates sin. Again, his actions showed his hatred for sin by the price he paid to free us from it. As we read we will understand his love for us, and it should cause us to love him. When you love someone you want to please them. This is how we are to love Christ.
Third, as the Holy Spirit shows us things in our life that are not pleasing to God we must determine we will repent. To repent means to turn away from, to do an about-face, and forsake the sin. With our mind/our will, and our heart/emotions, we make a mental judgment to eliminate the action or attitude from our life.
Forth, replace the forsaken attitude or action with something that would be pleasing to God. Replacement is a key element in staying away from the things you don’t want to do. If I want to lose weight I don’t make a chocolate cake and set it on the counter. The temptation to take a bite would be constantly there, and in my weak moments, I would succumb. Instead, have healthy choices available.
Fifth, pray for strength and wisdom.
James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
II Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Prayer is a vital part of our success in our Christian walk. We need wisdom to make the right choices. He grants that to those who ask, (prayer). Strength will be given to those who depend on him. The strength he gives is shown most when we feel that we are weak. It is not through our own power that we are able to overcome but through His power. If it is through us it will be feeble, and we will fail. He will impart his strength as we ask for it.
Sixth, we need to find someone that is stronger in Christ, share with them our struggles, and ask them to hold us accountable. Accountability is a major source of help in our growth in Christ. Every area of our lives that we want to be successful must have accountability. When I was in business my motto to my employees was “without accountability there is no responsibility, no responsibility breeds failure.”
Changing to have a heavenly view is a process that should continue until the day we die. Phycologist says it takes at least 21 days to form a new habit. Yes, a habit, a continuous way of doing something that becomes natural to us, to the point we can almost do it without thinking. When we want to be like Jesus we must set a pattern to do as he would do, WWJD. We will have many failures that can lead to frustration, and frustration often leads to giving up. The key to not giving up depends on the value we place on success. The value is pleasing Christ and making an eternal impact on this world. Can we live here and have a heavenly view? The answer is Yes, Philippians 4:13 “I CAN do all things THROUGH Christ which strengthens me!”
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