Good morning,
When Saul, the hater of believers in Christ, received Christ, his life was completely changed, including his name to Paul. Everywhere he went he was telling them about Jesus Christ.
In the letter to the Colossians Paul encourages them to follow Christ. Paul tells them that they are risen with Christ, forgiven and why, challenges them to seek Christ, and contrasts the old man and the new man.
We will look at each of these areas during this week’s devotions.
The old man: Put OFF (Colossians 3:5-9)
“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;”
Mortify means kill or put to death. Paul is telling the Colossians, and us, to put to death these sins. Continuing in these sins, brings the wrath of God upon on them.
Further, Paul tells the Colossians, and us, to put off certain character qualities. All of these lead to disharmony, disloyalty, and separation between believers in Christ.
Although, we think believers in Christ do not participate in these types of behavior, they do. It is obvious in the first century church and in the twenty-first century church of today.
God is giving us a warning. Will we heed the warning?
Tomorrow, we will see what we are to Put ON.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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