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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 your new nature"? It means that our conduct should match our faith. If you are a Christian, you should act like it. Being a Christian means more than just making good resolutions and having good intentions; it means being filled with godly love, which produces godly actions. This straightforward step is like putting on new clothes that demonstrate the new kind of person you have become. You must take off the old clothes of sinful habits and choices and throw them away. Then you will wear only your clothes of righteousness and love for others that Christ has given to you. Have you rid your life of the "old clothes" of your past? In our lifelong growing process, Christians have a continuing education program. The more we know of Christ and his work, the more he changes us to be like him. We cannot just drift along; instead, we must seek the rich treasures of growing in him. We need patience, practice, concentration, and ongoing review to keep in line with his will. [Life Application SB 2019] COMMENTARY PEARL In His Image He calls himself the "Counterfeit God" Nobody has successfully copied money like Frank Bourassa from Quebec. After carefully doing research for a year and a half on detailed descriptions of the U.S. dollar (he says government websites were the most helpful), he gathered the right paper and presses and began creating authentic bills - 0 million of fake notes - before he was caught by an undercover agent. The Bible warns about fake Christians. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 7:21). And, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (v. 15). What looks like the real thing isn't always the real thing. There is only "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5). In today's promise, Paul tells the Colossian church to "not lie to one another" because they "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man." But how can one know this "new man" isn't a fraud? Because he is "renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him." It is God's plan to conform us "to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29) who is "the express image" of His Father (Hebrews 1:3). We are being renewed when, by faith, we continue looking to Jesus and study His Word. The knowledge of God that we humbly receive into our minds and hearts transforms us into genuine followers of Christ. You can be authentically changed when you put on "the new man," a life patterned after the image of Jesus. Lord Jesus, make me into Your image. I desire my life to be patterned after You. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts] 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. DA 37-38 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." SD 300 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. COL 312 LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY Colossians 3:9-10 - Putting On The New Nature. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240827-1236.html 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/ |