Fixing Our Eyes on Christ in a Worldly Culture
The concept of fixing our eyes on Christ in a worldly culture is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize the importance of prioritizing spiritual pursuits over earthly concerns. In Colossians 3:2, believers are exhorted to "set [their] minds on things above, not on earthly things" [1]. This directive is part of a broader biblical narrative that contrasts heavenly wisdom with worldly wisdom.
The apostle Paul's writings often highlight this contrast. In 1 Corinthians 1:20, it is noted that "In God's eyes, the human wisdom of this world is foolish" [5]. Instead, divine wisdom is found in the message of the cross and in Jesus Christ. This theme is echoed in the commentary on 1 Corinthians 2, where Paul's preaching is characterized as being "not in worldly, but in heavenly, wisdom among the perfect" [7].
Fixing one's eyes on Christ involves a spiritual gaze that transcends physical sight. According to Hebrews 12:2, believers are to "look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" with "the eye of faith" [4]. This spiritual sight is not immediate but develops over time, transforming the believer into Christ's image. The act of looking unto Jesus is not a passive act but an active engagement that requires turning away from other objects and focusing on Him.
The biblical call to prioritize Christ is closely tied to the idea of being transformed into His likeness. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, it is written that believers "with open face...beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image" [8]. This transformation is a result of gazing upon Christ's glory, unveiled and unobstructed by the veils that once covered the hearts of those who did not know Him.
In practical terms, fixing one's eyes on Christ means making no provision for the flesh and its lusts, as exhorted in Romans 13:14 [2]. It involves a deliberate choice to prioritize spiritual pursuits and to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" in such a way that Christ is seen in the believer. This is not merely an individualistic pursuit but is also linked to the unity of believers, as seen in John 17:21, where Jesus prays that believers may be one, just as He and the Father are one [3].
The challenge of maintaining this focus in a worldly culture is significant. The commentary on Colossians 3:2 notes that whatever is made an idol will either be a cross to believers or a curse to unbelievers [6]. Thus, the call to set one's mind on things above is a call to reorient one's priorities away from earthly things and towards heavenly realities.
Sources
- Colossians “Colossians 3:2 (BSB) — Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 13:14: But--to sum up all in one word. put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ--in such wise that Christ only may be seen in you (see Co2 3:3; Gal 3:27; Eph 4:24). and make no provision--"take no forethought." for the flesh, to fulfil the lust thereof--"Direct none of your attention to the cravings of your corrupt nature, how you may provide for their gratification." Note, (1) How gloriously adapted is Christianity for human society in all conditions! As it makes war directly against no specific forms of government, so it directly recommends none. While its h”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 17:21: that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may be one in us--The indwelling Spirit of the Father and the Son is the one perfect bond of union, knitting up into a living unity, first all believers amongst themselves; next, this unity into one still higher, with the Father and the Son. (Observe, that Christ never mixes Himself up with His disciples as He associates Himself with the Father, but says I in THEM and THEY in US). that the world may believe that thou hast sent me--sentest me. So the grand impression upon th”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 12:2: Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,.... Not with bodily eyes, for at present he is not to be looked upon in this manner, but with the eye of the understanding, or with the eye of faith; for faith is a seeing of the Son; it is a spiritual sight of Christ, which is at first but glimmering, afterwards it increases, and is of a soul humbling nature; it is marvellous and surprising; it transforms into the image of Christ, and fills with joy unspeakable, and full of glory: a believer should be always looking to Christ, and off of every object, as the ”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 1:20: 1:20 In God’s eyes, the human wisdom of this world is foolish. Divine wisdom lies in the message of the cross and in Jesus Christ (see 1:24, 30).”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 3:2: Translate, "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things," &c. (Col 2:20). Contrast "who mind earthly things" (Phi 3:19). Whatever we make an idol of, will either be a cross to us if we be believers, or a curse to us if unbelievers.”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2 (introduction): PAUL'S SUBJECT OF PREACHING, CHRIST CRUCIFIED, NOT IN WORLDLY, BUT IN HEAVENLY, WISDOM AMONG THE PERFECT. (1Co. 2:1-16) And I--"So I" [CONYBEARE] as one of the "foolish, weak, and despised" instruments employed by God (Co1 1:27-28); "glorying in the Lord," not in man's wisdom (Co1 1:31). Compare Co1 1:23, "We." when I came-- (Act 18:1, &c.). Paul might, had he pleased, have used an ornate style, having studied secular learning at Tarsus of Cilicia, which STRABO preferred as a school of learning to Athens or Alexandria; here, doubt”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 3:18: But we all with open face,.... We are not like Moses, who had a veil on his face; nor like the Jews, who have one on their hearts: "but we all"; not ministers and preachers of the Gospel only, but all believers, whether Jews or Gentiles, greater or lesser believers, who are enlightened by the Spirit of God, and are converted to Christ: "with open face"; which may regard the object beheld, the glory of Christ unveiled, that has no veil on it, as Moses had on his face, when he delivered the law; or the persons beholding, who are rid of Jewish darkness; the veil o”