Put on your new self

Put on the new Self

The last two weeks of study has been leading to this. 2 weeks ago we set the foundation to putting on your new self. We discussed the necessity of being born again, the importance of setting our eyes on heaven, and knowing where we were going to go. While at the same time understanding that we are not in heaven yet. Last week we discussed what we are to put off, and put to death. We are to put to death all idolatry in our lives. We rid ourselves of those sinful tendencies verse 8 talks about. We put off the lies we tell one another. Finally we putt off any indifferences we have with one another. This week we will discuss what we are to put on, and look at examples of what this looks like in our lives.

Verse 12 starts with a reminder that we are chosen by God. God choses his children not to like there old selves, but to be like his son. says “and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Our new selfs are to resemble what Christ looks like. These next 5 verses help us see what our new self should look like. Another I want you to notice as we study these verses is that these characteristics are a natural result of fruit in our lives. says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

We must put on the heart of Christ. Look what it mentions, Compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. These are the opposite of verse 8. Think about the heart of Christ he compassionate and kind, he healed the sick, he fed the hungry, and saved the lost. As a man he humbled himself to point of death. Christ had every right to Lord himself over his own creation, but he didn’t. Many of us Lord our selves over people because of our own standing. and fail to remember that Christ did. Christ was meek, English Standard Version (ESV) 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. Many of us could learn from this. Finally, Christ is patient with us. Think about how much time he has given us to seek him, and come to him. We could learn from that example.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

Out of all these listed which one do you most struggle with?

The second thing we put on is the grace of Christ. Notice what it says you also must forgive. Forgiveness is not an option for Christians even though we treat it like it is. Many of us in this room have been wronged, and find it hard to forgive, but if you have been saved by Christ we called to forgive. We have wronged God more than we have been wronged by anyone else. Yet he still forgives. The grace of God is what is so different from other religions and worldviews. Many people never experience Grace in their lives, and you could be that grace. As Christians we are saved by grace. Grace is a wonderful thing that Christians should be known for, because its what distinctly defines us against any other religion or worldview.

Do you have problems forgiving others?

The third thing we are to put on is the love of Christ. Love holds all things together. Love maintains balance , but brings each of these virtues together. Loving one another is a natural response to God loving us. English Standard Version (ESV)9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another. Love like Paul says here binds everything in perfect harmony. Have you ever seen a successful relationship without love? No you don’t, because the opposite of love is hate which never has perfect harmony. Im reminded by the Love of God everyday when I think about Jesus. He loved us enough to send his son to die for his people. That kind of love should motivate us to love each other as Christ loved us.

9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,

Do you love others as Christ has loved us?

The forth thing we put on is the peace of Christ. Christ gives us a peace that you can’t describe to unbelievers. This peace brings us joy, and comfort. Christ most importantly through his death gave us peace with God. this peace that we are called to is in one body. Not separate bodies. Christ peace should characterize our relationships with another, and should bring thanksgiving to our hearts.

Do you struggle with peace in your life?

The fifth we must put on is word of Christ. This is foundation to how we put on our new self. The word of God is something we can never take off. The word of God reminds us of Christ, and so much more. Paul says let the word of Christ dwell in you. This means that the word of God is to live in. its to become apart of you. Not only is it dwell you, but to dwell in you richly or abundantly. Its to be of great worth to us. It should be like your favorite peace of clothing that you should never want to take off. The word of the God should be like that in our own lives. We should be so rooted in scripture, that is controls everything in our lives. The word of God is central to Christian teaching. Worship includes teachings and admonishing one another. Admonishing means that we are to warn or counsel one another. The word of God gives us wisdom to live this Christian life. This teaching of scripture and putting of God should lead us to do what? Worship God. Singing songs to God is an act of worship. We worship God, because of who he is. Our worship of God should be cry of our thanksgiving to him.

I want us to look at a great example of what it looks like to put on the word of God. Look at verse 4 it says man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Whether its temptation or another situation, our response should be biblical. Putting on the word of God helps us do that very thing.

What do you need to put on most in your own lives?

What does putting on all these characters led to? it leads us to all things for his glory. Whatever you do, that means all things. in word, or deed all actions, do all those things in the name of our Lord Jesus. We would never want to do anything other than Christ like things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We should do all things in our life that show appreciation and gratitude towards God. Which means we are to do all things for the Glory of God.