J.A. Matteson
As a citizen of the kingdom of heaven your orientation towards a matter is rooted in Christ. "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth" (Col. 3:2). In every occasion it is the kingdom of God and His righteousness that informs your impulses and decision making. The apostle is not being mystical but practical in his exhortation. Direct your heart toward the principles of kingdom life governed by the character of Christ and your mind will be rightly focused. The inward and outward fruit of the Spirit will be evident both to you and those observing your confession as to your progress in Christ: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. These stand in stark relief against the things of the earth such as power, position, pride, pettiness, immorality, sensuality, perversion, rudeness, selfishness, greed, materialism, idolatry, deceit and the like. Attitudes and behaviors flow from that which fills the heart. When Christ is the meditation of the heart the fruit of the Spirit buds plentifully His righteousness. To not focus on Christ is to give sway to the things of the earth yielding its bitter fruit.
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