A Scriptural-Spiritual Lens for Resolve in 2022 - Part Five

Introduction

The imagery used in this passage is that of putting on clothes. Throughout the history of the world and across the globe, clothing has been developed to fit the environment or occasion. Matt, who is a fireman, wears clothing designed to protect them from fire and heat. It is not designed for running or for fashion. When you watch any sporting event or pursue a hobby, there will be a wardrobe that helps the participant perform in that activity. It is the same in the Christian life. The new man has a wardrobe. The new man has clothing appropriate to its activities. The attire of the new man is the person and character Christ.

Romans 13:13–14 ESV

13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Colossians 3:12–17 ESV

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.

PRAYER

Wearing the new man is a necessary resolve

Put on then - middle clothe oneself with

Imperative - The mood that normally expresses a command, therefore not an expression of reality but possibility and volition. However, there are consequences to not obeying the commandments of God.

Ephesians 4:24 ESV

24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Wearing the new man fits the people of God

God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved

This set of descriptions of the true people of God is extremely controversial. The Apostle is taking language that was used to describe the nation of Israel and applying them to an audience that is primarily Gentile.

Deuteronomy 10:15–16 ESV

15 Yet the Lord set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. 16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn.

God’s chosen ones – eklectoi - of the basis of salvation in God’s calling people to belong to himself elect, Referring to those who are effectively called unto salvation,

Holy - as human beings belonging to God saints, God’s people, believers, those that have been set apart for salvation and usefulness to God.

Beloved – the one loved by God, indicating a direction of the will and finding one’s joy in something or someone.

Romans 8:29–39 ESV

29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Wearing the new man is to be moved like Jesus

Compassionate hearts- literally this phrase is the “bowels of mercy”, bowels is the inward parts and mercy is sympathy, pity, is the compassion which one shows for the sufferings of others

Illustration: Why would the Paul use the phrase “bowels of mercy” to describe an activity and we translate it Compassionate hearts? Have you ever had butterflies in your stomach? Have you ever like someone so much you got sick to your stomach when you were around them? Have you ever been so excited that your heart was racing but you were sitting still? The Greeks connected strong emotion to the way our bodies reacted in these types of situations, therefore it makes perfect sense.

Mark 1:40–42 ESV

40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.

Mark 6:34 ESV

34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

Christian, don’t you want to be like Jesus?

You see someone acting out the sinful lifestyle in front of you, think of Jesus who was moved with compassion.

Wearing the new man is to be gracious like Jesus

Kindness - as a gracious attitude goodness, the opposite is severity

Romans 2:4 ESV

4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

John 10:7–15 ESV

7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Christian, don’t you want to be like Jesus?

When someone ridicules you, treats you harshly, annoys you or disrespects you or disregards you and there is the temptation to retaliate. Think of Jesus and return their insult with graciousness.

Wearing the new man is to be lowly like Jesus

Humility - as a quality of voluntary submission and unselfishness humility, self-effacement, opposite of pride or arrogance

Philippians 2:3–8 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Christian, don’t you want to be like Jesus?

When you are tempted to win an argument for the purpose of being right and exalting yourself, put on lowliness instead and honor the other person. Seek to be the one that notices the good in others and promotes others.

Wearing the new man is to be gentle like Jesus

Meekness - as a quality of gentle friendliness gentleness, meekness (as strength that accommodates to another’s weakness), consideration

Matthew 12:15–21 ESV

15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: 18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. 19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; 20 a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; 21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Christian, don’t you want to be like Jesus?

You see or hear of someone hurting physically or emotionally, remember the gentleness of your Savior and seek to use your strength to help or accommodate them.

Wearing the new man is to be long-suffering like Jesus

Patience - as a state of emotional quietness in the face of unfavorable circumstances patience, long-suffering;

Luke 23:32–38 ESV

32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

Christian, don’t you want to be like Jesus?

When there is a difficult situation in your life, don’t be tempted to complain and belly-ache. Entrust yourself to the One who cares for you and has ordained this trial to make you more like Jesus.

Practical Application

“I Want to be More Like Jesus” – Keith Green

As each day passes by, I feel my love run dry. I get so weary, worn, And tossed around in the storm. Well I'm blind to others needs, And I'm tired of planting seeds. I seem to have a wealth, Of so many thoughts about myself. I want to, I need to, be more like Jesus. I want to, I need to, be more like Him.

Our Father's will was done, By giving us His Son, Who paid the highest cost, To point us to the cross. And when I think of Him, Taking on the whole world's sin, I take one look at me, Compared to what I'm called to be. I want to, I need to, be more like Jesus. I want to, I need to, be more like Him.

Remember, there's no greater love, Than to lay down your life for a friend. The end of all my prayers, Is to care like my Lord cares. My one and only goal, His image in my soul Yes my weakness is revealed, When by His stripes I'm healed. He's faithful and He's true, To complete the work he begins in you. I want to, I need to, be more like Jesus. I want to, I need to, be more like Him.