Whom do YOU Seek?

Whom do YOU Seek?

by David Brenneman 

‭‭"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,  and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Colossians 3:1-17.

"Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.”" John 18:7.

We live in a world that seeks something.  We get up, our minds get going again and we start looking for things.  Things to wear, things to eat and drink.  Then we begin seeking things in our day. Things we think we're going to accomplish and things we hope we're either going to encounter as well as things we hope otherwise. 

Given time and effort we sometimes look above and beyond what our senses tell us concerning the world around us.  

Given more time and effort we can indeed seek that which the Spirit teaches us to in the Word of God. 

It's been interesting to note just the statement in the Bible that the Jews seek for a sign and the only sign they will be given is the sign of Jonah. The rest of the world, the Gentiles, seek signs as well.  In today's world we have an endless supply of books, movies, streaming content, photos, music, audio books to try to fill a void that cannot be filled with anything other than the living Word of God.  

It's a scary thing to me to see how deep worldly psychology is seeping into today's church.  Go onto LinkedIn and there's articles and every kind of motivational speakers to show you how to increase your churches numbers.  

So many people out there believing they plus the Bible as explained only by them are the answer to what's on the hearts and minds of people.  Their content is needed if your life is going to find fulfillment. 

Paul shows us what true priorities are.  Showed us what's important and what is worth pursuing.  The things the world comes up with are integral to the schemes of the devil.  

Do you at all consider this?  That the schemes of the devil are something the Believer is to recognize and then avoid?  We're to have spiritual eyes that see.  To note the traps that Satan is setting and to not just avoid them, but expose them.  

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2.

Would you think that Jesus would describe your life as ran well?  

I have been in several 5k walks. One such I was walking for a cause and had been by myself this time around.  I walked so fast that I passed all the others walking and had caught up to the runners.  

We carry so much baggage that keeps us from the righteous life that God desires for us!  The righteous life that God desires isn't encumbered by things or thoughts that slow us down.  

We need a life that's fully aware of the schemes of the devil within and without.  A life that's aware of how those schemes will indeed trip us up...so that we can avoid them.  I have tripped and fallen way too much in my life.  

Take a step back and ask the Spirit to open your eyes to whatever He says is important...and follow Him.  

Who and what are you seeking in this life?  Are those things you seek are what is important to growing in Christ?  

Our world is going to dress up temptations and will disguise them to get you to slow your pace.  To get inside your head to get you sidetracked from the righteous life that God desires for you.  Our world is not going to look out for your best interests!  Wake up and realize that it's against you.  A sin cursed fallen world.  

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16.

Open your eyes...and run the race set before you.  Shed the things slowing you down.  

How will your life's work look to the Holy One?  Your days and hours spent running as the Spirit teaches or spent wasted on fruitless endeavors?  

The Angel asked on day 3...Whom do you seek?  Jesus?  Don't you remember what He said?

Whom do you seek in your day? Jesus is already in your new day.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.