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Colossians 3:9-10 - Putting On The New Nature.

Colossians 3:9-10 (NKJV) ...since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV) ...seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Colossians 3:9-10 (NLT) ...for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

INTRODUCTION

   What does it mean to "put on the new self"? It means that your conduct should match your faith. If you are a Christian, you should act like it. To be a Christian means more than just making good resolutions and having good intentions; it means taking the right actions. This is a straightforward step that is as simple as putting on your clothes.
   Every Christian is in a continuing education program. The more we know of Christ and his work, the more we are being changed to be like him. Because this process is lifelong, we must never stop learning and obeying. There is no justification for drifting along, but there is an incentive to find the rich treasures of growing in him. It takes practice, ongoing review, patience, and concentration to keep in line with his will.  [Life Application SB]

COMMENTARY PEARL

   We're not banana eaters, yet somehow the fruit appears in my kitchen, where it lingers until it's too ripe and draws pesky fruit flies. I'm inclined to toss a brown bunch into the trash, but my husband prefers to whip up a batch of banana muffins. I can't get him to stop buying bananas, but I'm grateful he will salvage the throwaways.
   I'm also grateful Jesus salvages castoffs like my friend Jon, a former high school dropout and drug addict who owns a motorcycle shop. Or Craig, who still has the 1980s rocker look, even though he quit touring the heavy-metal circuit decades ago. If I'd met either of them years ago, I would have considered them too far gone. But both were renewed by Jesus.
   Today, when Jon meets someone, he often asks, "Do you know Jesus?" Many Sundays he arrives at church with someone clad in a black leather vest and biker boots. Craig's powerful story began with a desperate, late-night Internet search. "Is God real?" he typed. Now he shares his renewed life with musicians who record in his studio.
   Jon and Craig make a church-raised girl like me inspect my own fruit a little harder. Does my life draw people to Jesus, or is it wasting away, attracting flies like a bunch of old bananas? As I mature in Him, I yearn for Jesus to turn the rotten parts of me into something sweet. Karen Sargent
   Faith Step: What parts of your past are you hiding? Pray for an opportunity to share, your story with one person this week. [Mornings With Jesus 2023 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]

COMMENTARY

   Sin had become a science, and vice was consecrated as a part of religion. Rebellion had struck its roots deep into the heart, and the hostility of man was most violent against heaven. It was demonstrated before the universe that, apart from God, humanity could not be uplifted. A new element of life and power must be imparted by Him who made the world.
   With intense interest the unfallen worlds had watched to see Jehovah arise, and sweep away the inhabitants of the earth. And if God should do this, Satan was ready to carry out his plan for securing to himself the allegiance of heavenly beings. He had declared that the principles of God's government make forgiveness impossible. Had the world been destroyed, he would have claimed that his accusations were proved true. He was ready to cast blame upon God, and to spread his rebellion to the worlds above. But instead of destroying the world, God sent His Son to save it. Though corruption and defiance might be seen in every part of the alien province, a way for its recovery was provided. At the very crisis, when Satan seemed about to triumph, the Son of God came with the embassage of divine grace. Through every age, through every hour, the love of God had been exercised toward the fallen race. Notwithstanding the perversity of men, the signals of mercy had been continually exhibited. And when the fullness of the time had come, the Deity was glorified by pouring upon the world a flood of healing grace that was never to be obstructed or withdrawn till the plan of salvation should be fulfilled.
   Satan was exulting that he had succeeded in debasing the image of God in humanity. Then Jesus came to restore in man the image of his Maker. None but Christ can fashion anew the character that has been ruined by sin. He came to expel the demons that had controlled the will. He came to lift us up from the dust, to reshape the marred character after the pattern of His divine character, and to make it beautiful with His own glory. DA37-38

The old sinful life is dead; the new life entered into with Christ by the pledge of baptism. Practice the virtues of the Saviour's character. Let His wisdom dwell in you richly in all wisdom; "teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." ... The sins that were practiced before conversion, are to be put off, with the old man. With the new man, Christ Jesus, are to be put on "kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering." SD300

CLOSING THOUGHT

When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness. COL312

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Romans 8:29 - You Were Created to Be like Christ.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220913-0858.html

Ephesians 4:22-24 - Putting on the New Nature.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240620-0855.html

Romans 12:2 - Transformation: Glimpses into How It Is Done.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240405-0931.html

Romans 6:4 - Resurrection Power.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201130-1137.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/