Old Man, New Man

1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.

Colossians 3:1-10

Old Man, New Man

I could end this devotion right here, because the passage above says it all.

Unfortunately, the moment we become a Christian, we do not become sinless. Our entire life on this earth will be a life of struggle against our own sins. Yet, we need to consider, that as a Christian we are now a new man (or woman) in Christ. This is true because our life is now hidden with Christ in God. Our goal, then, is to seek righteousness which is from above.

As we read through the list Paul gives in verse 5, we realize that we are no longer that old man, but have become a new man in Christ. Continuing on to verses 8 - 10, Paul encourages us to put off:

Anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him .

It is important that we understand that it is a natural part of the Christian life to struggle with these things because our sin nature continues to battle with our spiritual nature. Be patient with other Christians; do not be critical of them, but rather pray for them when you see such things appear in their lives. Encourage one another in the faith, knowing that no one will reach complete righteousness until being taken to live with Christ in Heaven forever.

Pray today that as you ponder, Old Man, New Man, you will seek Christ that you may become a New Man in Him. Pray also that Christ would help you to be obedient to His Word by putting away the sins which you were entangled with before becoming a Christian.