Colossians 3:5-11

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.  On account of these the wrath of God is coming.  In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.  But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, 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.  Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

 

Our new life in Christ involves replacing the sinful practices with those that are aligned with our identity as image bearers of Christ.  Unbelievers are enslaved to sin and cannot escape in a meaningful way.  Believers are made new in Christ and have been set free from sin and are united together in one body in Jesus.

 

PUT TO DEATH THE EARTHLY: Since our true hope is being manifest with Christ in glory, the sinful things of this earth should be put do death.  Immoral thoughts, actions, and desires and the love of money have no place in the life of a believer.  God’s wrath is kindled because of these terrible sins that marked our lives prior to coming to Christ.  These strong passions become functional gods in the lives of people who do not know Christ.  Sexual desires and money are two idols that grip the hearts of people who do not fear the Lord.  When Christ takes residence in us through the Spirit, these lusts must die in our hearts.  

 

PUT OFF THE OLD SELF: As unbelievers, things like anger and obscene speech were a natural part of our old self.  These things are also to be put off.  They will likely manifest themselves on a more consistent basis than the earthly lusts.  These are attitudes and actions that grow naturally in fallen man.  Like weeds, they sprout easily in our lives and must constantly be put off.  Feelings of anger and improper use of our tongue are sins that must be kept in check in a intentional and consistent way.  We don’t ever need to learn to lie or reel resentment because they are a natural part of our old self.   

 

PUT ON THE NEW SELF: When Christ comes into our lives, He gives birth to a new self that is according to His image and likeness.  The Spirit of God brings to life a new creation in us that loves the Lord and walks according to His will and way.  He gives us a new knowledge of God and a new desire to be like Jesus.  This new life is available to all who believe no matter whether they are Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, slave or free. Christ makes us new in the power of the Spirit.

 

APPLICATION: Do not allow the earthly desires that dominate the unsaved man to live in our lives.  These sins must be put to death in our lives once and for all.  Be aware of the sinful attitudes and actions that sprout up naturally in our lives.  They need to be constantly “put off.”  Allow the Spirit of God to conform us to the image of Christ.

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