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October 22 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all and in all. Colossians 3:9-11. As we dedicate our lives to Christ there will be a transformation into a new creation. That creation is the one that was intended by God from the very beginning. We are being changed to be in His image, and everything about that new image is found in Christ. It takes a change in our mindset and a change in the way we view all things around us. The power to for this renewal comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit—we cannot claim any merit or any ability to make the change. It is so remarkable that God can see no distinction between the various races or nationalities. That is because He sees everything in Christ, His Son who purchased the price for all of this. Paul is assuming that we have laid aside the old nature in Adam. After all, it was crucified with Christ at the cross. We deny this every time we revert to the ways of the flesh. But God picks us up and sets us back on the path of following the new self. We can only praise Him and honor Him for this act of grace. Each time that this happens to me, and it really does happen, I find that I love Him all the more and I want desperately to not allow it to happen again. It is a response to His love that drives me on. Father, we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice. You alone can change our mindset and allow us to see all things as You see them. Only by this transformation will we model and live out the life of Christ. Thank You. Amen. |
