Real Life - Colossians 3:1,3

"Set your sights on the realities of heaven...For you have died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God." Every once in a while we need to stop and remind ourselves that the life that we live in this world is not our real life. It's sort of a virtual reality and eternal life is our real reality. That's why Paul admonishes us to "think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth" in verse 2. Then, do you mean that all that I'm going through in this life doesn't count for anything? No, I mean that if you have set your sights on God's reality and you are united with Christ, then everything you are going through in this life takes on significance; God gives it meaning; it counts for eternity!. God is storing your life and saving it up for your eternal life. So, this present life is a preparation for your eternal life. When your life on this earth ends, it is the end of the beginning of your real, eternal life. You may think that all this "reality" stuff sounds pretty arcane and mysterious. No, it makes perfect sense. If you have died to your sinful life through trusting Christ as your Savior, then it's only reasonable that you have been raised to new life in Him because He has been resurrected to eternal life. And not only has He been resurrected, but He sits at God's right hand and He is saving up your life for eternal life with Him. "And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory" (vs. 4).