Old and New Man
Old and New Man. Unfortunately, the moment we become a Christian, we do not become sinless. Though we are have the mind of Christ, this spiritual mind does not keep us from sin. We must continually look to Christ each and every day.
1 If then you were raised with
Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at
the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on
the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4
When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him
in glory.
5
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth:
fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which
is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon
the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you
lived in them.
8
But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice,
blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one
another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have
put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of
Him who created him.
Colossians 3:1-10, NKJV
Old and New Man
I could end this devotion right here, because the passage above says it all.
Unfortunately,
the moment we become a Christian, we do not become sinless. Our entire
life on this earth will be a life of struggle against our own sins. Yet,
we need to consider, that as a Christian we are now a new man (or
woman) in Christ. This is true because our life is now hidden with
Christ in God. Our goal, then, is to seek righteousness which is from
above.
As
we read through the list Paul gives in verse 5, we realize that we are
no longer that old man, but have become a new man in Christ. Continuing
on to verses 8 - 10, Paul encourages us to put off:
Anger,
wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie
to one another, 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.
It
is important that we understand that it is a natural part of the
Christian life to struggle with these things because our sin nature
continues to battle with our spiritual nature. Be patient with other
Christians; do not be critical of them, but rather pray for them when
you see such things appear in their lives. Encourage one another in the
faith, knowing that no one will reach complete righteousness until being
taken to live with Christ in Heaven forever.
The secret of living the Christian life is to understand our total dependence upon the Lord Jesus Christ. It is He who saved us and it is He who gives us strength to live this Christian life in a manner that is pleasing to Him. He sends to us His Holy Spirit who guides us in the way we should go. We cannot successfully will ourselves to live this life pleasing to God, but Christ, through the work of the Holy Spirit will live it for us!
Pray
today that as you ponder, Old and New Man, you will seek Christ that
you may become a New Man in Him. Pray also that Christ would help you to
be obedient to His Word by putting away the sins that
entangled you before becoming a Christian.
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English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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