Living in Harmony with Our New Self and Heavenly Home

As Christians, our salvation not only secures our place in heaven but also initiates a transformative journey toward a new self. When we accept Christ, we embrace a new identity—one that is rooted in eternal life and reflects the image of our Savior. However, living out this new self in harmony with our heavenly home requires intentional thought and action. In the book of Colossians, the apostle Paul guides how believers can align their lives with the reality of their new identity in Christ.

Colossians 3:1–4 says, “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.”

Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae urges believers to set their minds on heavenly things, recognizing that their old selves have died and they have been raised with Christ to new life. This new life is a future promise and a present reality, shaping how believers navigate their earthly existence. Just as baptism symbolizes the death of the old self and the emergence of the new, believers are called to continually renew their minds and align their thoughts with the truth of their identity in Christ.

The security of our eternal life in Christ is emphasized in Romans 8:33–39, where Paul reassures believers that nothing can separate them from the love of God. This assurance should not only comfort believers but also inform how they live their lives on earth. Just as knowing one's citizenship in a foreign land impacts their decisions and priorities, the certainty of eternal life should guide every aspect of a believer's life.

Living in harmony with our new self and heavenly home requires a shift in perspective. It means recognizing that our earthly existence is temporary, and our true home awaits us in the presence of Christ. Just as someone approved for migration to a new country prioritizes preparations for their new life, believers should prioritize actions that align with their eternal home. This includes investing time, resources, and energy in pursuits that have eternal significance rather than fleeting earthly pleasures.

Investing excessively in worldly pursuits at the expense of one's relationship with God underscores the critical importance of establishing proper priorities. While these pursuits are not inherently wrong, they become problematic when they overshadow our devotion to Christ. Believers are called to store up treasures in heaven, where they will last for eternity, rather than accumulating wealth or status on earth.

Matthew 6:19–21 tells us that, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Ultimately, the condition of our hearts reveals where our true treasure lies. If our hearts are set on Christ and His kingdom, our lives will reflect that priority. Conversely, if we prioritize earthly pursuits over our relationship with God, we risk losing sight of our true identity and purpose.

Living in harmony with our new self and heavenly home involves daily surrender to the Holy Spirit's leading. It means seeking God's will in every decision, whether big or small and aligning our actions with His purposes. It requires humility to acknowledge our dependence on God and a willingness to obey His commands, even when they contradict our natural inclinations.

One key aspect of living out our new identity in Christ is cultivating a mindset of gratitude and contentment. Instead of constantly striving for more possessions or worldly achievements, believers should find satisfaction in knowing they are children of God, heirs to His kingdom. This mindset frees believers from the relentless pursuit of earthly success and allows them to focus on what truly matters—loving God and serving others.

Another vital component of living in harmony with our heavenly home is cultivating a community of fellow believers who can encourage, challenge, and support us in our journey of faith. The Christian life was never meant to be lived in isolation but in a community with other believers who share a common purpose and identity in Christ.

Living in harmony with our new self and heavenly home is both a privilege and a responsibility for believers. It requires intentional effort to align our thoughts, priorities, and actions with the truth of who we are in Christ. By continually renewing our minds, prioritizing eternal investments, and cultivating a heart that treasures Christ above all else, we can live lives that honor God and bear witness to the transformative power of His grace. As we journey through this earthly life, may we never lose sight of our true home and the hope that awaits us in the presence of our Savior.

Renewing our Mind and Heart in Jesus

In our walk of faith, there's a profound link between what captures our thoughts and what our hearts long for. The apostle Paul highlights this correlation, emphasizing the importance of continually thinking about and desiring our life with Jesus. This intertwining of thought and desire is a guiding principle for believers seeking to live in harmony with their new selves and heavenly home.

The Scriptures exhort believers to fix their minds on heavenly things, recognizing the importance of renewing the mind.

Romans 12:1–2 says, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

When our thoughts are consumed with the reality of our life with Christ, our desires naturally align with His will. Consequently, our actions reflect a life surrendered to His purposes and glorify Him.

Constant reflection on the promises of heaven cultivates excitement and anticipation for what awaits us beyond this earthly realm. This anticipation fuels a desire to know Christ more deeply and to immerse ourselves in His Word. As we prioritize intimacy with Him, our hearts become increasingly captivated by His presence, leading to a life marked by worship and devotion.

However, the battleground of the mind is fiercely contested, with the world vying for our attention and allegiance. Media, cultural philosophies, and worldly pursuits all seek to distract us from our pursuit of Christ. Believers must guard their minds against the influences that promote values contrary to the kingdom of God.

The apostle Paul warns against allowing worldly desires to dominate our thoughts and actions.

Colossians 3:5–10 writes, “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.”

Immorality, impurity, passion, and greed are symptoms of a heart that prioritizes earthly pleasures over the eternal treasures found in Christ. When we succumb to these temptations, we diminish the testimony of our new selves and hinder the transformative work of God in our lives.

Living in harmony with our new selves and heavenly home requires intentional effort to align our thoughts, desires, and actions with the truth of the gospel. It necessitates a constant renewal of the mind through immersion in God's Word and communion with the Holy Spirit. As we submit ourselves to God's transformative work, He empowers us to overcome the allure of worldly distractions and live lives that honor Him.

The journey of faith is not without its challenges, as believers wrestle with the tension between their new identity in Christ and the lingering effects of their old selves. Yet, in Christ, we have been given victory over sin and death. Our new selves, hidden with Christ in God, are being continually renewed to reflect the image of our Creator.

In light of this truth, believers are called to embrace their new identity and live accordingly. We are to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to righteousness, putting aside the old ways of living and embracing the newness of life found in Christ. This process of sanctification requires both divine intervention and human cooperation, as we yield ourselves to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.

Ultimately, our new selves find their significance and fulfillment in Christ. He is the cornerstone of our salvation and the source of our identity. As we fix our gaze upon Him and allow His truth to permeate our thoughts and desires, we experience the fullness of life that He has promised.

Living in harmony with our new selves and heavenly home is a journey of continual renewal and transformation. It requires a conscious effort to align our thoughts and desires with the truth of the gospel, resist the pull of worldly distractions, and pursue intimacy with Christ. As we surrender ourselves to God's transformative work, we discover the abundant life that comes from living in harmony with our new identity in Christ.