Being Renewed
Renewal. What comes to mind when you hear that word? It brings to me a sense of calmness and security. It sits opposite words like death and expiration. It’s no wonder then why renewal is a central descriptor of the Christian life.
I’ve been reading through Paul’s short letter to the Colossians. Chapter three has been a page I’ve sat on for the last number of days. There’s a contrast explained between this old and new self. Paul describes them in a similar a way to how one might talk about clothes.
The old self is filled with what are “earthly,” things like sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness (Colossians 3:5). The list continues and Paul says, “seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices, and have put on the new self…” (3:9-10a).
I’m no fashion guru. If you know me, you know that’s true. However, even I know, there are certain clothes you wear for certain activities. If I’m going to the gym, I’m not wearing my Levis and a flannel T-shirt. No, I’m going to have a dri-fit, Nike shirt and running shorts on.
Paul’s describing something similar here. He’s saying the old self you had on was leading you to actions and a way of life that’s contrary to the life God has for you. He doesn’t stop at simply taking it off, he says put it to death (3:5).
Paul introduces these opposing selves at the beginning of the chapter with a charge to, “set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (3:2). The one who is seeking and setting his mind on Jesus is the one who has “put on” the new self.
You made it this far, here’s where I want to hone in. This new self, Paul says, “is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator” (3:10). Notice, he does not say is renewed. The new self is being renewed, it’s in process, there’s a fluidity to the transition into living with the new self on.
And boy, do the products of this new self not sound refreshing and exciting? Things like: having compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and forgiveness (3:12-13). Paul continues to say above all of this, “put on love” (3:14), “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” (3:15), “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (3:16), lastly “do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus” (3:17).
The above is what the renewed self is living towards. If you’re like me, there are things of the old self that are still sticking around and qualities of the new self I have plenty of room to grow in. Don’t let shame in. Thank you, Lord, for revealing those things. Now, put to death the things you see of the old self and step into and practice the things of the new. Give yourself grace, you and I are in the process of becoming renewed.
Our old self, before Christ, was dead in its sin and set with an expiration date. But God, in His mercy and grace, has given you another way, a new set of clothes to wear. And like any new thing, there’s a learning process involved.
Friend, wherever you’re at in the “becoming,” step in and engage. Would we look back in the coming and weeks, months, and years and be able to say, through the Power of Jesus, I have walked in even greater renewal having put on the new self.
