Yes, Christians should set their affection on things above.
Because they have been raised with Christ and are now hidden with Him in God. Their old Adamic nature is dead, and God sees them as righteous in Christ, so their priorities should be heavenly, not earthly.
Colossians 3:2 — This verse directly commands believers to set their affection on things above, not on earthly things, because they are dead to the old life.
Colossians 3:1-3 says, "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. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." These verses instruct believers who have been raised with Christ to focus on heavenly realities, not earthly ones. The reason given is that believers are dead to the old life and are now hidden with Christ in God.
Les Feldick teaches that setting affection on things above is practical Christianity. Believers are identified with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, so their priorities should be heavenly. This does not mean becoming so heavenly minded as to be no earthly good, nor does it require a Spartan lifestyle. Rather, it means not letting earthly things take priority. Les emphasizes that the world is obsessed with temporal things, but believers should focus on the eternal. He also connects this to our position in Christ: because we are in Christ, God sees us as righteous, and we are dead to the old Adam.
Les explains that being risen with Christ means we have identified with His death, burial, and resurrection. This identification results in a change in our appetites and desires, leading us to seek heavenly things.
No. Les clarifies that setting affection on things above does not require a Spartan or frugal lifestyle. God has given us all things to enjoy, and there is nothing wrong with accumulating wealth or enjoying life. The key is to keep priorities straight and not let earthly things take precedence over heavenly matters.
Because we are dead to the old Adam and the things of this world. Our life is hidden with Christ in God. Les illustrates that earthly possessions are perishable and often lose their appeal after realization, whereas eternal things are lasting and more satisfying.
Les teaches that through believing what God says about the cross, every believer is taken out of Adam and placed in Christ. God no longer sees us in the cesspool of sin but sees only the righteousness and holiness of Christ. This positional truth is the foundation for setting our affection above.
In Christ, Not in Adam
Les explains that believers are no longer in Adam but in Christ, so God sees them as righteous and holy, which is why they should set affection on things above.
Priority of Heavenly Things
Les stresses that seeking things above means setting priorities heavenward, not being no earthly good.
Eternal vs. Earthly
Les contrasts earthly things that perish with eternal things, noting that anticipation of eternal things is greater.
Change in Desires
Being risen with Christ results in a change in appetites and desires, leading to seeking heavenly things first.
Dead to Old Life
Les explains that we are dead to the old Adam and to the world, and our life is hidden with Christ in God.
Enjoying Earthly Blessings
Les clarifies that it's okay to enjoy life and accumulate wealth, but priorities must be straight.
Avoiding the Temporal Trap
Les warns against being caught up in temporal things and losing sight of the eternal.
What Does It Mean to Be Crucified With Christ?
Now, like I told the class here, I think in our last taping, studies like this aren't as exciting as the book of Revelation, and I know that. Boy, it's a lot easier to keep people's rapt attention when you can tell them about the mark of the beast, and you can tell them about the coming of the Antichrist and Armageddon and all these things. Boy, you know, that's easy to keep people's attention.
Colossians 3:1: If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
This verse sets the basis for seeking heavenly things because believers are risen with Christ.
Colossians 3:2: Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
This is the direct command to focus on heavenly things.
Colossians 3:3: For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
This explains why we should set our affection above – because we are dead to the old life and hidden with Christ.
No. Les Feldick teaches that believers can enjoy life and accumulate wealth, but they must keep priorities straight. Earthly things are not forbidden, but they should not take precedence over heavenly matters.
It means identifying with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. This results in a change in our desires, leading us to seek heavenly things.
Watch the Teaching: What Does "Saved by Faith" Really Mean? Romans 1:16-17