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Putting on Christ

Writer's picture: Brian DoyleBrian Doyle

Far too many people try to be "Social Christians." You know what I'm talking about. We are Christians when it's best to be Christians, like at Church, or around other Christians. Then when we get to certain situations where it's not "socially acceptable," we remove as many traces of Him as possible while not offending Him (in our own opinions, of course). Christ is not a social thing. He is not something you put on around other Christians, and then take Him off when you're in school, at work, or among friends. If you conveniently put Him on and take Him off based on your circumstances, you don't know or understand (as much as our finite brains can) how powerful He actually is. He is the one who created all things, who spoke, and universes came in to existence, who is the beginning and the end. IF you're attempting to put on and take Him off as you deem socially acceptable, question closely as to whether or not you truly know Him. The Tragedy of it all is that we can try and fool ourselves and our friends, but as God told Samuel (1 Samuel 16), that man sees on outward appearances, but the Lord looks at the heart. You can try and fool your friends (Christians and non), you can try and put up fronts, but eventually, you'll have to come face to face with God, who sees in to our deepest self, and is not fooled for a single instant. He knows every thought you think, and every word before you speak it. He is acquainted with all your ways and knows the number of hairs on your head (Psalm 139). It's like David said (See previously referenced Psalm): Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” 12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. Instead, then, put on the new self. Walk in the newness of Life if you've given your life to Christ! Don't return to what He rescued you from. Walk boldly, knowing He is with you always!

Colossians 3 English Standard Version (ESV)


Put On the New Self


If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.


Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:[b] sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.[c] In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self[d]with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,[e] free; but Christ is all, and in all.


12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.


Rules for Christian Households


18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters,[f] not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.


Footnotes:


a. Colossians 3:4 Some manuscripts our

b. Colossians 3:5 Greek therefore your members that are on the earth

c. Colossians 3:6 Some manuscripts add upon the sons of disobedience

d. Colossians 3:9 Greek man; also as supplied in verse 10

e. Colossians 3:11 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; likewise for Bondservants in verse 22

f. Colossians 3:22 Or your masters according to the flesh



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