04.08.10 “Put on the new self”
Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:1-11
1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
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Reflection Questions
Moving into chapter three of Colossians, we see Paul taking this fundamental idea a step further as he describes the change we are invited to experience through Jesus. Paul writes that we are to “put off our old selves” and begin to live in a new way.
- Writing to the church at Philippi, Paul says, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” In what ways does what you are “thinking about” determine the direction of your life? How does our image of God impact our faith?
- How would those who know you best describe the difference that your faith in Christ is making in your everyday life? How are you doing in “taking off the old self?”
Weekly Prayer
Jesus, we celebrate this week that the grave could not hold you and death could not defeat you. When the world turned its back on you, you offered yourself to save us from our sin and set us free from our bondage forever. As you were raised from the grave, raise us into the new life you offer. May we never forget, Lord, that we are Easter people!
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
My husband and I had a conversation about this day’s reading. We both agree that as our relationship with God and in our marriage grows, the most difficult thing to do is to “put off our old selves.” It’s scary, and it takes alot of bravery and belief in God…especially when so much of it is habit or the nature of the people we are surrounded by.