Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Colossians 3:9-10 NIV
A children’s song – He is Still Working on Me
He's still working on me To make me what I need to be It took him just a week to make the moon and stars The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars How loving and patient He must be 'Cause He's still workin' on me
Sometimes in our transformation process to be changed into Christ image, we can feel like giving up. No matter how hard we have tried, no matter what plans we put into the practice, no matter what disciplines we have tried to observe, we end up with some of the same struggles, sins and failures. At least these are the thoughts which bring discouragement to keep on trying.
Our verse today sheds new light on our situation. The “putting on the new man” in the Greek is in the aorist tense. This means the action occurred one time in the past. The old man was removed and Christ gave you a new man or nature. The word “new” means young as a relatively new experience. In other words your “new man” started with your new birth in Christ. For some this is a recent experience, others a long time ago.
The phrase “being renewed” is a present participle. This means continuous ongoing action. Specifically your thinking is being renewed in the knowledge of the mystery of Christ’s work in your life. Christ is in you, transforming you into His image. The transformation of yesterday is being built upon and made better.
How can this bring you hope?
- God’s word is always at work “renewing you”. Your struggles, sin and mess ups, don’t stop God’s work in renewing you. The knowledge of His will leads you to stop relying on your own strength and lean into Jesus to make all things new.
- God is doing the renewing work. We come to Christ in faith knowing we can do nothing to earn our salvation. We live each day by faith, Jesus gives you the strength to walk and live in holiness. Your old flesh is helpless to try to make you a better person.
- God who began a good work, will not stop until it is finished at the day of Christ. He never grows tired or weary in the renewal process in your life.
- Hope for something better is wrapped up in “renewing”. Renewing is God doing it again and again.
Am i? I AM being renewed into the image of Christ and the knowledge of His will. It’s a mystery but also a reality. Ask for a sensitivity to hear the Spirit reveal how He has changed you from who you were and how He is presently changing you today. The mere fact that you engage God to be pure and holy is an indication of the renewal process.
He is still working on me…you are being renewed day by day by day.
Blessings, love y’all