New Life:New Self

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A new self puts off the practices of the old self.

The Christian life is more than just being saved. I'm sure that everyone would agree with this statement. God does not save us only to be with him in heaven, but to live for him today. Many of us in the room know the truths of scriptures, and many of us may even be saved. However, if we were all honest we don’t always put on our new self. We hold on to the things of the former life, instead of putting on our new life in Christ. Paul is making this plea to rid themselves of their old life. In Colossians, Paul makes it clear that there are objective standards that Christians are expected to meet. The church should muster all its energy to instill these values in its members. While Christianity is more than just a value system, it doesn’t neglect the call to Holiness. Paul argues in this text that there are certain lifestyle issues that the Christians in colossae must put off. Today we struggle with these same issues. This is why I made the statement just a few short moments ago, saying that the Christian life is more than just being saved. God saved us to put on a new Self. The question is how do we do that? If you are taking notes I have three points that help us put on our new self.

A new self puts on the characteristics of Christ.

The Christian life is more than just being saved. I'm sure that everyone would agree with this statement. God does not save us only to be with him in heaven, but to live for him today. Many of us in the room know the truths of scriptures, and many of us may even be saved. However, if we were all honest we don’t always put on our new self. We hold on to the things of the former life, instead of putting on our new life in Christ. Paul is making this plea to rid themselves of their old life. In Colossians, Paul makes it clear that there are objective standards that Christians are expected to meet. The church should muster all its energy to instill these values in its members. While Christianity is more than just a value system, it doesn’t neglect that call to Holiness. Paul argues in this text that there are certain lifestyle issues that Christians must put off. The issues of sexual immorality, and unfruitful speech were impacting the church in a negative way. In the same way today we overlook things such as a biblical view of marriage and sexuality, and our own speech. The church in that day also had an issue with different types of people in the church. Today we struggle often with this reality as well. This is why I made the statement just a few short moments ago, saying that the Christian life is more than just being saved. God saved us to put on a new Self. The question is how do we do that?

A new self starts with being saved by Christ.

A new self puts off the practices of the old self.

A new self puts on the characteristics of Christ.

In today’s world the need for faithful Christians cannot be ignored.

A new self leads to true worship.

God calls not only saves us, but he calls to to be like Christ. It is important that we know that we can do nothing Godly without the work of Christ.

1. A new self starts with being saved by Christ.

Under no circumstances can we take off our old self or put on our new self without being saved. The Christian life starts with being saved. Paul here is making an argument for saved people. Each of the first, four verses tell us what it looks like to be saved. It also shows us what our response to being saved should be if we are saved, and it shows us our new condition in Christ. The first four verses our the foundation to the to how one puts on a new self. V1. Since you have been raised with Christ seek the things which are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Paul says these words for a reason. The church was dealing with false teaching that was leading them to different and incorrect doctrine. These false teachers would tell others of this special knowledge. Much of the time they would focus on things other than Christ himself. We seek him as believers because he has raised us from the dead. What does it mean that he raised us from the dead. Well for believers it means that he took us from utter darkness, and brought us into his light. He saved us, he cleansed, he transformed us not to seek the things of the earth, but to seek him. He is the light, and because he is light we must seek him. Christians we are not seeking some knowledge that no power like the Gnostics were doing, and that are many doing today. We are seeking the son of God, who is our mediator, our Lord , and Savior. If you have been saved no one is worth seeking like the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul in verse 1 shows us that we are raised with Christ, so seek him. We seek him, because of who is. He is seated at the right hand of God. He is the mediator, he is Lord, and he is God. So seek him.

Paul is verse two adds the first verse by saying, “Set your minds on things that are above, not things that are on earth.” One of the best illustrations of this is found in Paul's letter to the Philippians in Chapter 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Paul lays out the perfect model to us on how to focus on the things that are above. As Christians we must not only seek heaven, but also think heaven. This does not mean that we withdraw our lives from the world, but we bring our renewed minds and hearts to it. A key aspect to a new self is our old self dying. In verse 3 it says for you have died. WE can never have a real relationship with God if we do not die to self. Dying to our old life is a crucial part of having faith, and putting on a new self.

Verse 3 also says that we are hidden with Christ, but what does this mean? I believe Paul is saying that at this time our heavenly identity is real, but it is hidden. We are not even heaven, but the reality awaits those who believe in him. Because we are not yet with Christ in heaven, we must focus our attention on heaven. Through sanctification the reality of heaven becomes alive. Looking to heaven, and setting our minds to heaven will indeed allow us live out the inward reality that we have. God is transforming us into the image of Christ now, but we will truly see that transformation at the end.

verse 4 When Christ who is your life appears then you will appear with him in Glory. One day the salvation process will be complete and we will be eternality with him Amen? I think John sums this point well when he says in says, “Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” A new Self starts with being saved by Christ.

2. A new self puts off the practices of the old self.

Does anyone here remember what are life was like before Christ? I do. I was filled with passions and practices that did not honor God. If I am being honest I still struggle and hang on to certain sins that I should let go. I'm sure many of us in this room would say the same life. Even those who are saved in room struggle with sins listed in this text. The question is what do we do? God’s word thankfully shows us what we should do. There are 4 principles from this text that I believe help us remove the practices of our old self. The first practice is to put to death your old self. Look with me at verse 5-7. It says, “ Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.”

The church at the time struggled with sexual purity. In many of Paul’s writings we can see that it is a major issue. Today we don’t have to look far to see that sexual sin has indeed impacted the culture and the church. Society is giving the thumps up to the sexual revolution and many in the church are going along with it. Now we may say that we don’t struggle with these sins listed, but the truth of matter is we do. Some of us struggle with them so much that it overtakes our lives. I have known many men and women whose life and walk have been ruined, because of these sins listed in this text. All these sins listed are rooted in the worship of oneself. Sexual sin, desire, and covetousness all lead to idolatry. This is why Paul says put them death. We are not to suppress or control these evil acts and attitudes. We are to wipe them out. Killing these sins cant be something we do casually, it must be done with urgency. John Owen wrote is one of this books, wrote this truth “Be killing sin or it will be killing you.” Sin when not taken care of will kill you. Sin is nothing we can play around with, because if we do it can cost of our souls. V. 6 shows the powerful that we will ultimately face the judgement of God. Because God is Holy he will unleash the wrath of God to all who are not in Christ. The wrath of God is real, and comes to all those who have not put there faith in Christ alone. Our sin is powerful reminder of our need for Christ and the wrath to come. We can close this first principle out with a reminder that part of Christian maturity is putting to death your former life, and living for Christ. Praise be to God when you no longer say that you struggle with this certain sin, but when you say you used to walk in that sin. Putting to death of the old self is a crucial part to putting off ones self.

Sin is nothing we can play around with, because if we do it can cost of our souls. V. 6 shows the powerful that we will ultimately face the judgement of God. Because God is Holy he will unleash the wrath of God to all who are not in Christ. The wrath of God is real, and comes to all those who have not put there faith in Christ alone. Our sin is powerful reminder of our need for Christ and the wrath to come. We can close this first principle out with a reminder that part of Christian maturity is putting to death your former life, and living for Christ. Praise be to God when you no longer say that you struggle with this sin, but when you say you used to walk in that sin. Putting to death sins is a crucial part to putting off ones self.

The second principle to putting of the off the old self is to rid yourself of sin. Look with me at verse 8, “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” In the original language the word put off means to take off your cloths. We are to remove the sin in our life just like removing our dirty cloths. All these sins hurt others. We know that are words and actions have power. They can build up and they can destroy. So to put on our new self we must put to death our sin, and put off our old sin.

We know that are words have power. They can build up and they can destroy.

A new self starts with heavenly thinking.

The third principle we must have to put off the old self is we must not lie to one another. Look at verse 9, and 10 it says, “ Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. ” Christianity is built on the truth. Since the beginning of creation lies have been at the foundation of many sins. Satan himself twisted scripture, in order to achieve his purposes. The people of Colossae were being lied to as well. The false teachers were putting lies in their minds. If you have read the book of Colossians before you will read about the lies these teachers were telling. There were telling others that Christ was not God, That you have to obey certain Jewish Rituals to be saved. Or that Works impact your salvation. One of the biggest lies someone can tell us today is that you don’t need to put off the practices of your old life. We are not called to live complacent lives where we have a basic knowledge of God, but look nothing like Christ. Scripture is clear that that we have to put on our new self. One of the biggest ways to fight lies is to know the truth. In order to know the truth we must apply everything we learned earlier, set your minds to heaven, put to death or sins. In addition Paul adds this important truth. The new man is being renewed in knowledge of the creator. Being renewed is a constant practice that never will end. offers the best illustration of this it says, “12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” The best antidote for dealing with liers is a knowledge of truth, and the best way to not lie to one another is to know the truth. So do not lie to one another. We must continue to put to death the old self, rid the old self of sin, and not lie to one another.

The forth principle we must have is treat one another as we are in Christ. The church and the world has had issues going back forever when it comes to racial and social differences. Paul knew this was a problem so he addresses in verse 11. It says, Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.” The Roman kingdom was a diverse society. It was made up of Greeks, Jews, and many other people. The barbarians were considers to be uncivilized. They did not speak greek and many Greeks mad fun of them for there language. Saying they spoke saying bar bar bar. A Scythian was similar, but they were often referred to as savages and ruthless. The Main point behind all this is that there were man made barriers that that prevented the worship of Christ between all nations. This is a clear contradiction to great commission which proclaims to us to go to all the nations. There are Christians from coast to coast that look, talk, and act differently then we do. But that isn't what defines them. As believers our greatest identity is found in Christ and his community. Our new identity leads us to put to death our old self, to put off our old practices, to not lie to another, and to see each other as we truly are in Christ.

3. A new self puts on the characteristics of Christ.

In verses 12-17 we can see many of the characteristics of Christ that we are are to put on. As God’s elect, he loves us in a special way that should spur our hearts to want to leave the old life. God did not chose us to remain the same, he chose us to be like his son.

There is no better man to have every walked this earth then Jesus Christ. He displayed the goodness of God to the fullest. He is the greatest example even when it comes to character. In verses 12-17 we can see many of the characteristics of Christ that we are

The first characteristic we must put on is the heart of Christ. v 12. Compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. The word compassion means to have have love characterized by faith. We are to have kindness to one another. We must have humility, in a since of putting others before yourselves. We must have Gentleness in speech, and deed. Finally, patience. God is patient with us, we should be patient with one another. These truths are opposite of the ones we found in verse 8. Our response as a community should be to put on these characteristics.

The second characteristic we must put on is the grace of Christ.

The second characteristic we must put on is the grace of Christ. One of the most beautiful things about the gospel is the grace of our God. As believers we are to forgive because we have been forgiven. Any offence we have against one another seems like nothing when we compare it to how we have sinned against our God. Yet he forgave us. Is our life marked by the grace of God, or do you let others offenses cause you to not forgive. When we struggle with forgiving others let us remember the one who forgave us.

The third characteristic we must put on is the love of Christ. Love is the foundation of all these characteristics. Love unites all Christian values. As the church we should love in a way that is contagious, and different from the world. Love unites us in a way that is unbreakable. Scripture says We love because Christ first loved us.

The forth characteristic we must put on is the peace of Christ. Division in the church unfortunately happens. This is why we must put on the peace of Christ. Having the peace of God is unthinkable to the average man.That is because they don’t know Christ. Christ brings a peace that unifies believers. Next week the Southern Baptist Convention meets for its annual meeting to discuss many important issues, I would ask you as a church to pray for all those who are involved. That the peace of God be a focus while they meet.

The fifth and final characteristic that we must put on is the word of Christ. We should be so rooted in scripture that it controls all of our thinking. Putting on the word of Christ leads to worship. The word of God is central to the worship process. Putting on the word of God leads to singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Putting on the Word of Christ causes us to be thankful in our heart because he saved us from our sins, and he is changing us to be more like him. This is why we can never put off the word of God, because we need it for the rest of our days.

We have examined five characteristics on what it looks to put on your new self. The question is how do we know if we have truly put on our new selves? I think verse 17 shows us the answer. If we are doing things for our own glory then we have not truly put on our new self. Scripture tells us to do all things for the glory of God, but we can only do that if we have put on our new self. The question we must answer before we leave today is this.... Are we doing everything we do for the glory God or for the glory of man.

Let me illustrate what this looks like in our life. Imagine this you are getting to run a race, and for that race you want to do everything possible to make sure you can run that race properly. Well think about this instead of wearing your nice new nikes, your nice new shorts, and your wind resistant t shirt. You show up looking closer to Chewbacca than a runner. You are clothed in three jackets, longjohns, windpants, two pairs of socks, and snow boots, and a Bennie of your favorite sports team. People would look at you like you are crazy. They would say this person cant run this race, he has on all the wrong equipment. Well this is what many of us are doing in our Christian life. We are trying to run the race when we have so much baggage we cant even walk. Once you are saved, God gives you all that you need in this life to run the race. He gives you the desire to take off this old life, and to put on a new life in Christ.

Conclusion

As we begin to close this evening, I again want to reiterate what I said in the beginning. You cannot put on your new self unless you have been born again. Paul makes it clear that you must be raised in order to put on your new self. The gospel is the only cure that take you from your old self to your new life. You can’t leave here today saying if I put off these things and put on these things I can be saved, no you must die to your old self. We die to our old self by repenting on our sins and putting our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. You may be here today and have a relationship with Christ, but you are hanging on to sins that are killing you. Today is the day that you repent of the sins, and walk with Christ, and put on your new self. You could be putting on your new self, and living the way you are called to be, but are you doing all things for the glory of God. Let us be a people who do all things for his glory. I know church that if we do all things for the glory of God, God will work in ways that are unimaginable.

Let us pray, heavenly father we are so thankful for the work of Christ. God we thank you that he not only saved us, but called us to a new life. God I pray that we take your word and apply it to our lives. Let us not leave here today, without applying the truths of your word in our lives.