Upward Way of Living for Jesus

We used to sing a hymn when I was growing up entitled “Higher Ground.” The lyrics go like this:
 

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m homeward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
 
Lord, lift me up and let me stand;
By faith, on heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

Higher Ground (1898) Johnson Oatman Jr. (1856-1926)
copyright status is Public Domain

 
Once we have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus with our souls firmly established in heaven with Him, we are no longer to live by the standards of the world. We are to live according to the values of Christ, “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1)
 
The apostle Paul gives us nine qualities that define this kind of UPWARD LIVING:

• Compassion
• Kindness
• Humility
• Gentleness
• Patience
• Bearing With One Another
• Forgiving One Another
• Love
• Peace (Colossians 3:15)

 
I’m adding one other quality to Paul’s list that is implied in verses 16 and 17 of Colossians, chapter 3, ENCOURAGEMENT. These 10 things offer convincing proof that we belong to Jesus and that we have determined to live like He wants us to live. We are Upward Thinking--Upward Acting people who belong to an Upward Savior. We are no longer content with the ways of the world. Old things have passed away and all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have set our feet on Higher Ground.
 
These ten qualities of the Upward Life will constitute the next sermon series I plan to preach in the  weeks ahead. There will be Sundays that I will vary from this schedule like Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, but I will return to pick up the series until we have completed it. The series will be entitled, UPWARD LIVING. It will be based on the premise that each quality is expressed perfectly by the character and life of Jesus.
 
Each sermon will be entitled, “Doing _____ Like Jesus.” So, today’s sermon is, “Doing Compassion Like Jesus.” It is all about living my life with compassion like Jesus lived His life.
 
This series of sermons should help all of us live more like Jesus every day. I look forward to preaching and pointing to the Upward Way of Living for Jesus. Let’s press on to Higher Ground.