by: Russell McLaughlin

Living New Lives

We often speak of “The New Birth,” “The New Life in Christ,” and conversion so casually that we risk missing the weight of the matter. Paul reminded the Colossian church of this reality:

“Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things…  (Colossians 3:1–4)

It should not surprise us that we act out what we take in. We become what we think. That’s why Paul commands, “Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things” (Col. 3:2). Long before psychologists repeated the principle, Scripture declared it: “For as he thinks within himself, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7).Paul writes in Philippians 4:8 to dwell on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. When we change the way we think, we change the way we behave.

To become what God desires, Paul says we must “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (Col. 3:10). In Romans 7 he describes the struggle between inner desires and outward behavior; in Colossians he pictures it as putting on new clothes each day.

So, Paul urges us: “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience… Forgive as the Lord forgave you… And over all these virtues put on love” (Col. 3:12–14). Slip into compassion; cover yourself with humility; pull on patience; drape on forgiveness and love. Get rid of the old put on the new.

Love is the bond of perfection, tying every virtue together so it reaches God’s intended purpose. Love is seeking the highest good of the other, it is unconditional, sacrificial, and Christ-like.

Let us remain faithful in “putting on the new man.” May the beauty of Jesus be seen in us!