READ:
Colossians 3:1 – 4:1
In chapter 3 we are given a list of sins to get rid of. And we are not
just to get rid of it as one might give away unwanted, used items, but we are
to completely destroy and kill it. There is no room to be ‘okay’ with any sin.
This is it. The last straw.
Regardless of what the culture says about sin and tolerance, sin must
die. And the reason to put these sins to death is not because we feel guilty,
or because our sin is hurting anyone else, or even because we want to, but
because our sinful natures have been cut away (circumcised) we are now new
people with new natures. God requires us to live out in the physical world what
has happened in the spiritual realm.
Paul understands we cannot simply put sin to death. We must fill the
gaps left by their removal. We are to
bring to life the character of Christ within us. Holy living does not happen by
accident, or even automatically when we submit our lives to Jesus. We must ‘put
on’ holy living. As we remove the sinful behaviors of our old nature and
replace them with behaviors that reflect the character of Christ we are
allowing Christ to dwell in us richly. Paul teaches that every moment, every
thought, every action, and every single thing must be done in and through and
for Christ.
Thankfulness and forgiveness are two of the behaviors we must put on.
Thankfulness is a characteristic that must be seen in believers as we, of all
people everywhere, have so much to be thankful for. Forgiveness is also
critical. We are to forgive as we have been forgiven. When we are constantly
aware of all we have been forgiven, we will naturally become more and more
thankful. And, remembering what we have been forgiven also helps us to extend
forgiveness to those who have offended and hurt us.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1. Ask the Lord if
there is a sin or habit you have not been putting to death. Ask the Lord to
speak to you about why you have been
holding on to it. Confess this sin and ask God to give you a word, thought or
picture about the truth of your old self being circumcised and your new self
being raised to life in Christ. Make a commitment to the Lord to put that sin
to death for good!
2. Ask the Lord what
area of holy living He wants you to grow in. Commit to becoming more like Him
and deliberately putting on His character as you put on your new self. Thank
Him for His help and grace and support.
3.
Ask the Lord to remind you right now of all He has done for you. Thank
God for all He has done. Make a commitment to thank Him whenever your mind or
heart wants to be entangled in a sin. Focus on all Christ has done to forgive
you and be thankful. Make a list and add to it day after day.
