Eternal Perspective

Cru friends,

We continue to recap the talks from Cru based on the principles in the book The Finishers.  The theme, you may remember, is that our generation is poised to potentially finish the Great Commission that Jesus gave us.  We could be the ones who cross the finish line in the great enterprise of making disciples of Jesus in every tongue, tribe, and nation.

To that end, we have been examining some attitudes, decisions, and disciplines that will be crucial to our generation if we are to be Finishers.  This week, based on the talk Chellee gave at Cru a few weeks ago, we'll take a look at eternal perspective.  The talk was packed with awesome stuff (and cute pictures and stories of Chellee's daughter Addison), so we'll just focus on a few key points.


Eternal Perspective

Colossians 3:1-2
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

What does Paul exhort us to do?

• Seek and set our minds on the things above
• Don't set our minds on earthly things

So what are "the things above"?  [Answer: things that last forever.]

• God
• His Word
• The souls of men and women

So what are "earthly things"? [Answer: things that don't last forever; see also 1 John 2:16]

• Desires of the flesh
• Desires of the eyes
• Pride of life, e.g. status, possessions

I think (and hope) this is probably somewhat intuitive and resonant.  We desire to have a significant impact on others and the world; an impact that affects eternity seems more significant than one that impacts the next few hours or days or decades.  As Chellee explained, effort we put into learning and teaching God's Word and ministering to others will yield an eternal impact-- and thus one that is infinitely more significant than what our efforts can accomplish when their aim is our own comfort or prestige.

So, friend, is your mind on the things above?  How can you better seek eternal things?  What earthly things are stealing your attention and energy?

In Christ,
The Pittsburgh Metro Cru staff team