“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Let me ask you this when you’re driving to work, do you look forward to seeing where you’re going or do you keep looking at what is behind you? You’ll crash if you keep looking in the rear-view mirror because you can’t see what’s in front of you. This applies to life. You absolutely can not move forward when you’re looking back for too long.
I stumbled upon Colossians 3:1-17 when I was reading a plan on the YouVersion Bible App called “The End Of Me” by Kyle Idleman. In Colossians 3, I found the instructions Paul gave to the Colossians about “putting on the new self” intriguing. He first said to dwell on things in Heaven, not on earth. He then explained that your old life is dead, but you have a new life in Christ. So what does this mean?
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:2-3
Your past may be horrific but your future can be transformed with Christ’s help. You can become who you want to be in Christ alone. This doesn’t mean you ignore the past and where you came from. This means you have learned from your mistakes, have asked for forgiveness, and turned from your old ways. You recognize what the old you did and put those selfish ambitions aside and now focus on who you are destined to become. The past will drag us down and weigh heavy on our hearts if we focus on our shortcomings.
Old Self
“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.” Colossians 3:5-9
David was a man after the heart of God who became the King of Israel. He was a mighty warrior of God who slew lions, bears, and the giant Goliath with just a slingshot. He had it all but it wasn’t enough for him. David fell to temptation. He committed adultery with another woman and had her husband killed in the front lines of battle.
He chose to give in to his lust that turned into sexual immorality which turned into murder to cover up his sin. Maybe you have experienced how sin has a domino effect that gets you deeper and deeper into a hole. It starts with the first inkling of temptation and thoughts we know aren’t from God. It is imperative to nip the thoughts in the bud immediately instead of acting on them. Back to the story, David was distraught realizing the evil he had done.
Psalm 51 is David’s cry to God for forgiveness and mercy. He knows what he did was wrong and evil. He recognizes his sin, repents, and begs God to not turn His back on him. “Have mercy on me, Oh God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight;” Psalm 51:1-4
David also shows us how to accept God’s forgiveness and to sin no more. Psalm 51:10-12 “Create in me a pure heart, Oh God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
All of us have fallen short and sinned. We have experienced guilt and failure. Some in different ways than others but the outcome is still the same. If we come to God with a humble heart, repent, and ask God for forgiveness, God will release us from our burdens and guilt. He will wash our sins away with Jesus’ blood that was innocently shed on our behalf. Accept God’s forgiveness and put on the new self by living a life of service to the One who paid it all.
The New Self
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14
The Bible was written to instruct us on how to live and find everlasting life. This is our tool for accomplishing God’s purpose in our lives by following after Him. As we draw closer to God, He will draw closer to us. James 4:7-8 “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” When we search for God and His will with all we have, we will find Him. We will become more like Him the more we learn and develop our relationship with Him.
Join me this new year and leave the past and all our shortcomings where it belongs, in the past. Keep moving forward with your eyes on the prize! Let’s commit to discovering more of who God is, becoming more like Him, and developing a loving friendship with Him daily this new year. Focus on what God has in store for you and become who you are destined to be!
A Prayer for You
Lord God, thank You for giving us grace, a hope, and a future. Create in us new and pure hearts that serve only You. Give us the strength and power to overcome trials and temptation. Let Your will be done in our lives as we draw closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
