Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven…. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3 (NLT)
Every species has a characteristic nature—a pig is and always will be a pig, for example. Humans also receive a common nature when they are born. Because we live in a fallen, sinful world, we all start out with a fallen nature.
No amount of good behaviour can change that nature, just as no amount of training can change a pig into a new species. You could dress a pig with a little bow on its head, but as soon as you let it go it will head straight for a mud puddle.
When you make the decision to follow Jesus, you miraculously receive a new nature. The impossible becomes possible. It’s incredible; you become a new creation altogether according to 2 Corinthians 5:17. It’s an event that is comparable to changing species. You no longer belong to the fallen-human-nature family; now you’re a member of God’s family.
Since we have a new nature, we should expect to behave differently. If we could somehow turn a pig into a cat, we’d expect that it would no longer go looking for mud puddles. In our case, our spirit has been made new but our minds are in need of constant overhaul. It’s not automatic.
In Colossians 3:1-3, Paul gives us instruction on how to begin this process: think about the things of Heaven. Realizing that you will spend eternity in Heaven changes your focus on Earth. Take that thought with you today. How does it change your plans?