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The New Life In Christ - Colossians 3
The New Life In Christ - Colossians 3
In our evangelizing efforts, we often talk only about the benefits and blessings of becoming a disciple. If you know anything about such, you realize it is indeed hard NOT to talk of such things! However, I am reminded that Jesus not only OFFERED such in His teaching, but He also spent time teaching of the demands of discipleship. In particular, I would mention that one must deny SELF and take up his own cross (which was an instrument of DEATH). One is to crucify SELF and live by and for Jesus.
Paul also speaks of BOTH the blessings and the demands of being a disciple. He writes of us “having been rescued from the domain of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of Jesus where we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14). This happened as we have “been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions” (Colossians 2:12-13).
We have been made ALIVE – a newness of life – raised to live a different life than before. Thus the obligation: “5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth” (Colossians 3:5-8).
Using the word of God as your mirror, examine yourself. What do you see? What is happening in your life? How different have you become as a disciple of Jesus? What do you need to put to death yet? Whatever it may be, it will be worth it!
Hugh DeLong
