It is very important that we set our affections on things above. This daily devotional reviews the benefits of seeking things above.
Nuggets
- We become content in this life when we set out affections on this above.
- When we set our priorities on things above, the value of this life decreases.
- God rewards those who are sensitive to His Will.
- Setting on affections on things above helps us to long for Heaven.
- Heaven will be our reward for setting our affections on things above.
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Devotions in the On Things Above series
We’ve been looking at Beveridge’s sermon entitled Setting the Affections on Things Above. This is the last devotion in the series.
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In the last devotion, we started on the last section. Beveridge wanted us to get that
- Setting our affections on this above is the best thing we can do.
- It helps us prioritize God above worldly things.
Let’s see what else Beveridge wants us to get. The purple headings are Beveridge’s words.
Let's Put It into Context #1
Here is a running list of what we’ve discussed previously.
Let's Put It into Context #2
When we look up the definition of affection in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it says, “the state of being affected.” Affect means “to act on and cause a change in (someone or something).”
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It will keep you from grieving too much about the affairs of this life
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Phil. 4: 11-12 NIV)
We become content in this life when we set out affections on this above.
We did a whole series on being content wherever God dropped us. We also had a devotion earlier this year about contentment and godliness.
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Devotions in the Contentment Leads to Tranquility series
If we are looking to God and His plan for our lives, we shouldn’t be totally dissatisfied. To be in God’s Will should bring out the “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8: 28 NIV) deal.
No, that doesn’t mean it will always be unicorns and rainbows. A nugget from a recent sermon keeps going through my head, but I don’t remember which pastor said it. He said that God uses discontentment to change our mission.
God grows us and opens up new opportunities for us. To get us to move where He wants us to be, He starts sowing the seeds of want more or different.
But we can still be content because we know God is in control and will provide for us. Spencer said that “no man can be contented without hope.” Hope is a future expectation, called a living hope, based on the confidence that our names will be found in the book of life.
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If we do not have hope in a future in Heaven, we do not have contentment. Our future will be filled with torment if we have not ABCDed.
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The Biblical Illustrator was talking about contentment — but I think we can generalize it to inform our discussion on things above. Look what Paul said.
“… for I have learned …” (Phil. 4: 11 NIV).
At one time, Paul wasn’t content. He was covetous.
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Then, Paul was changed because he learned. He set his sights on things above, and he let that affect him — change him.
No, it was not easy for Paul. The Biblical Illustrator wrote, “This word, ‘I have learned,’ is a word imports difficulty; IT SHOWS HOW HARDLY THE APOSTLE CAME BY CONTENTMENT OF MIND; it was not bred in nature.”
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Barrow brought up a good point. We, at times, equate contentment with self-sufficiency. We can’t do that here.
It helps us to believe “… when I am weak, then I am strong” (II Cor. 12: 10 NLT). We aren’t banking our our abilities to get us through the situation. We are banking on God.
Self-sufficiency is not setting our affections on things above. It is keeping our eyes firmly on us.
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Anderson cautioned us that the contentment only addresses our physical contentment. We are never to be content where our relationship is with God.
God always has something more He wants us to understand. There is always some sin that we have to confess. He is always wanting us to grow in grace and knowledge (II Pet. 3: 18).
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Lyth noted that Paul adapted himself to whatever situation in which he found himself. He relied on God whatever the season he was going through — either abundance or lack.
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It will make you more active in all duties
“But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace” (Ac. 20: 24 CSB)
When we set our priorities on things above, the value of this life decreases.
This was a favorite topic of Paul’s — losing his life to gain Christ. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1: 21 ESV).
It wasn’t that Paul hated his life. I don’t get that when I read his writings. To me, it seemed like the Energizer Bunny for God was full of life and purpose.
That is why I can see Beveridge thinking disciples become more active in all duties. What characteristics of Paul gave Beveridge this idea?
Houchin thought that Paul was determined, steadfast, and ready to sacrifice whatever God wanted. Paul knew he was a role model to others. “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ” (I Cor. 11: 1 CSB).
Paul took his call to the ministry very seriously. “I have become its servant, according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known” (Col. 1: 25 CSB). He wanted to do nothing that reflected poorly on his work.
Nothing that happened in Paul’s life was going to change his mind regarding Who his Savior was. “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day” (II Tim. 1: 12 CSB). He was going to remain steadfast until he finished the race.
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I can just see Paul saying Harris’ words. Harris wrote, “I know the worst which can befall me, and the utmost my enemies can do; they can only kill the body, and take away my life; and I am so far from being afraid of suffering that I am not afraid of dying. My life is devoted to Christ, and ’tis the same thing to me to lay it out or lay it down for Him, to spend it in painful service or lose it by violent suffering.”
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By so doing you will partly enjoy them
“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know — God knows. And I know that this man — whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows — was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell” (II Cor. 12: 2-4 NIV)
God rewards those who are sensitive to His Will.
Not many have written on this passage. I can’t say that I blame them.
Paul knew a guy that either had an out-of-body experience or had a vision. Krummacher and Robertson thought Paul was talking about himself, using the third person.
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I don’t think I am going to touch any of the who, what, and where questions. I am going to focus on the why question.
Someone had a vision/journey to somewhere that was equated with Heaven. The reason why was because he was “… in Christ …” (II Cor. 12: 2 NIV). Robertson wrote, “For God does not reveal His mysteries to men of selfish or hard or phlegmatic temperaments, but to those of spiritual sensitiveness.”
Glossary
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Throughout this passage — as confusing as it is — Paul puts the glory and honor on God. That is where it always begins and ends with Paul — with God.
This will make you willing to die
“I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ —which is far better” (Phil. 1: 23 CSB)
Setting on affections on things above helps us to long for Heaven.
Paul had just said “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1: 21 ESV). He knew that he would be perfected in Heaven.
• The perfected state indicates the combination of the spiritual graces which, when all are present, form spiritual wholeness or completeness.
• Spiritual graces are worldly morals that have been submitted to God to further His kingdom instead of enhancing this world. It means we have become as Jesus is.
Death, for a disciple, shouldn’t be the scary proposition it is for non-believers. We know where we are going, and we know all it is promised to be.
And fit you for the enjoyment of God after death
Heaven will be our reward for setting our affections on things above.
We know Heaven will be a wonderful place. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away” (Rev. 21: 4 CSB).
Making the Connections
Our future happiness is that we contingent on our acceptance of Jesus as our Savior. If we don’t do that, we aren’t going to set our affections on things above.
If we ABCD but are not sincere about it, we won’t gain Heaven. If we say we are setting our affections on things above but can’t give up the things below, we won’t make it.
The ABCDs of Salvation
If you have not become a believer in Christ, please read through the
Plan of Salvation and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do.
A – admit our sins
B – believe His Son Jesus is our Redeemer
C – confess God as Sovereign Lord
D – demonstrate that commitment by making any changes needed in our lives to
live the way in which God has called us
The Disciple’s Job Description
How Do We Apply This?
We’ve got to be intentional in setting our affections on things above. The Biblical Illustrator said that this was
- “Because spiritual things are against nature.
- “Because spiritual things are above nature.”
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So, how do we do that?
- We submit to Sovereign God.
- We need to be sober and composed.
- We should rejoice always.
- We should wait on God when He calls us to wait.
- We should diligently do all He calls us to do.
- We should be humble.
- We should be trying to fulfill the greatest commandments.
- We should not let our desires cause us to sin.
- We should evaluate our walk so that we know where we stand with God.
- We should thank God for all He has done for us.
- We need to grow our faith.
Glossary
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Our focus — our priority — must always be on God. We must always be looking forward to Heaven.
Father God. We choose You. We set our affections where You are. Help us to withstand the pull of this world. We long for the day when we see You face to face. Amen.
What do you think?
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