The New Man

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” – Colossians 3:12-17 

It’s another week!! Thank God.

Today, as I studied scripture, something caught my attention, and I feel it is a good opening for the week.

As I studied Colossians 3, I came across a phrase that has encouraged me today, and I hope it will inspire you as well.

In my bible, there is a sub-title before the verses from Colossians 3:12, and it says, Character of the New Man. So this must be a template for how the new creation in Christ should be. I know there are other templates, but I hope that like me, you would prayerfully consider this one this week, to live it.

The first thing I noted was the phrase ‘put on’. The Macmillan Dictionary calls it a phrasal verb and has different meanings for it. They are; to cover with, to lay on, to activate, to add to, etc. There are other meanings there, but I chose these ones for the post.

Paul encourages us to cover with/lay on/activate/add to ourselves the following characteristics as new beings in Christ:

• Tender mercies
• Kindness
• Humility
• Meekness
• Longsuffering; 
• Bearing with one another
• Forgiving one another
• Above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection
• Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body
• Be thankful
• Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord
• Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him

Usually, I would look at these verses and read through prayerfully, and it ends there. Today, I realized that we have been encouraged to put them on because it is our nature now. We were not born with them, but by faith in Jesus Christ, we can put them on. Someone would ask if I am saying we should fake it, till we become it, and I would say no. We can put on all the characteristics listed above because we have believed that in death, our lives are continually yielded to the rulership of Christ. The bible says we are also seated in Christ in the heavenly places. That is true for every child of God in Christ. Are we faking that as well? No, we need to live these truths by faith.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” – ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:4-6‬ 

The characteristics above show our real features in Christ. Though we may struggle, I firmly believe that we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. Christ died that we may attain this reality, and He didn’t die in vain. I don’t know what your struggles maybe, but I believe that if you lay them before God, He will you pull you through.

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – II Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭

Like Paul, I will boldly lay down my struggles, my weaknesses, my problems before the Master, my Father, so that His strength may rest upon me.

Be blessed!!

Till next time, be transformed!!