Scripture: “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”
Observation: Again we find behaviors and attitudes whose condemnation is not surprising. Of course the Colossian Christians should get rid of these. What is interesting is that we find a very similar rationale presented with a different metaphor and an important inference.
The similar rationale is that Christians have turned from one life to a new one in Christ. That’s why Paul states plainly what their change should look like. It’s like a military person can be reprimanded for “conduct unbecoming” their status as a soldier, sailor, or airman. Paul is clarifying what “conduct unbecoming” a follower of Jesus looks like. “Rid yourselves” of all that, Paul says. The rationale is that they have turned a new leaf and made a commitment of heart and mind that has moral implications as well.
In previous verses, Paul has spoken in terms of death and new life. The new metaphor is taking off one outfit and putting on a new one. When we change clothes, it signifies a shift. Changing from sleepwear to workout clothes to work clothes to lounging clothes signals to myself and others a change. Likewise, Paul says, “you have taken off the old self… and put on the new self.” In other words, you’ve changed clothes. Now, act like it—don’t go for a run in your pajamas. Bring your living into alignment with your faith commitment to Christ.
Finally, the important inference. The Colossians are not to do the actions listed, “since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” God is doing something in you because you put your faith in Christ. The believer's “new self” is being renewed, which is an action of God. Note the words “is being.” They are not renewing themselves; God is doing that. They are, however, called on to participate in God’s work of transformation. Paul doesn’t speak to them as passive observers. He gives them moral instruction founded on theological realities. Their work, and ours, is to respond to God’s inner work with obedient trust.
Application: What practices of the “old self” do you find hardest to take off right now? What practices of the “new self” are you most aspiring to right now?
Prayer: Lord, help me to match my living to the renewing work you are doing in my heart and mind through Christ. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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It's very rare that I say things out of anger or malice...I've worked really hard in my life to not do that. My "conduct unbecoming" is mostly feeling guilty after NOT feeling mad enough when someone wrongs me. We're always told we allow people to treat us how they treat us. Sometimes, I'm too understanding and trust too easily. So, now that I'm older I am more cautious with my feelings and heart. I do with I still had a childlike trust, but I do not trust anyone except Jesus, and I need to learn to trust again. I always feel others have an ulterior motive because of how much I've been used and lied to.