So, the center of the text is the invitation/exhortation, “Keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God.” Now we return to the possible mis-readings of this pericope. In our present context, where “spiritual things” and “heaven” are conceived of in virtually platonic fashion, one might be tempted to use this text to despise “mundane” matters. In this misunderstanding, “the things above where Christ is sitting” would be otherworldly, nonphysical things. Nothing could be farther from Paul’s intention! Christ has accomplished all that He has done for the believers precisely through “mundane” things, namely, the blood of His cross (Col 1:20). The believer’s death with Christ and new life with Him has been inaugurated through the circumcision made without hands, but using the earthly element of water (Col 2:11-12). The “things above” that the believers are to seek are precisely those promises and perspectives that have come true on the earth, and that now are sealed and certain because Christ who accomplished them is sitting in divine power and splendor. The promises and priorities are “with Christ,” but they are all about life here on the earth, lived through faith in Christ and in love for one’s neighbor. The “things above” are the Good News that empowers and directs life lived here on earth. The other error in reading this text might be to turn it into pure exhortation, so that “keep on seeking the things that are above” is tantamount to “try hard to be good.” But that would be to hurry on too quickly to the undeniably hortatory material that follows in verse 5 and following. The believers in Colossae are being tempted to give their allegiance to the “elemental things” (2:20). Therefore, in the first place the invitation to “seek the things that are above” is precisely that: a gracious invitation to believe again in what Christ, who is sitting and reigning over all things, has already accomplished. The reason why Paul (and every pastor!) must regularly invite Christians to keep seeking God’s promises in Christ is because the world works ceaselessly to distract us from the promises of life that remain hidden—for now. So, to “seek the things above” is equivalent to our Lord’s invitation, “Seek first the reign and His righteousness” (Mt 6:33), that is, look for and believe in what God has done to establish His gracious reign in Christ. At the same time, as believers seek the Gospel truths that are found in Christ, they will also inevitably find God’s will for their lives and callings. This is why the current text can be immediately followed by verse 5: “Therefore, put to death....” Colossians 3:1-4, then, is holisitic, rooted in the Gospel and flowing out into all of life. Seek your orientation from Christ, and look for his coming! Looking Up Enables You to Live! (Col 3:1-4) I.
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Paul needs to say to the believers, “Keep on seeking the things that are above.” A. Once you become a Christian, then the battle is joined.