January 15, 2025
Praying Friends,
Receiving new life at salvation is amazingly wonderful. The big question is how does that reality stay fresh through the years of life? How is it that an 80- or 90-year-old believer who has been saved for many decades is still happy, satisfied, and pursuing after God?
Paul gives us the answer. We are being renewed!
Colossians 3:10-13 says:
And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Once the old, dirty clothes of a past life with its practices have been removed, as mentioned in verses 5-9, Paul reminds them that they have to put on new clothes. He calls it the new self, which is new life in Christ.
But before he describes this new life in detail, he states that it is “being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (Colossians 3:10). If the new life originates from God, then it stands to reason that when it is renewed within us, it will bear resemblance to Him.
How is this new life renewed? From the words that follow, I suggest three important elements:
Firstly, there are no distinctions! Paul wants us to know that in God’s new creation, earthly distinctions and differences are welcome and important, and not a cause for division.
The Jew may think he is superior to the Gentile, but not in God’s family. The Barbarian may think he is higher than the Scythian, but not in God’s family. The free man may think he is greater than the slave, but not in God’s family.
In God’s family there is equality.
There is certainly no room for racism, snobbery, or pride. There are no national barriers in God’s family. There are no religious barriers in God’s family. There are no cultural barriers in God’s family. There are no social barriers in God’s family.
Secondly, Christ is foremost! When we recognize that Christ is everything and that He has first place in the new creation, we are able to focus on our true purpose.
The emphasis is not on the various distinctions of these groups, but rather on the united goal of exalting Christ and making Him everything. He alone is our King. Whatever our background, whatever our gifting or ability, whatever our circumstance, God has brought us together with our uniqueness to give Christ His proper place.
Thirdly, identity matters! There are many beautiful aspects to our life in Christ. Here Paul identifies three from verse 12:
We are God’s chosen ones. He selected us in Christ and we belong to Him and will never be separated. This is a precious reality that reflects the goodness of God.
We are God’s holy ones. This is what He has made us. Once we were in our sins and identified by it, but now in Christ we have been miraculously transformed and before God we are considered righteous and holy. This is a beautiful truth that reflects the power of God.
We are God’s loved ones. Being loved by the supreme Creator of all things is a comforting place to be. Regardless of what others say or do, we know and will know the love of God fully, deeply, and unconditionally forever and ever.
As we learn God’s Word, allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, and put the truth into practice, we will be renewed. Thank you for praying for the prodigals and for revival.
Love in Christ,
Bryan and Rachel
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