When I turned the calendar to December, I was keenly aware that it was time for us to begin decorating our home for the holiday season. I rejoiced that the Christmas decorations were stored in crates in an organized manner that would make decorating a pleasure rather than a chore. I also knew that I wanted to clean the house before “putting off” the Thanksgiving decorations and “putting on” those used for Christmas. It would be nice, I mused, if the house would remain clean throughout the holiday season. However, I am well aware that cleaning is a way of life, not an event, which means the same cleaning process will be replicated during and when the season is over.
Paul, in Colossians 3:1-17, challenged the Colossians to get rid of anything that would tarnish the image of Christ in their lives. Like the dust and clutter that can accumulate in our homes, eliminating the sins that weaken our testimony to the watching world must be “put off”. It would be convenient if they could be removed with one prayer of confession. Regrettably, however, one prayer of confession does not eliminate them—they simply do not surrender that easily. Since unbelievers recognize Jesus best through us, His followers, we must do all that we can to reflect Him. Thankfully, Paul provides practical advice on how to be a powerful, effective witness to a watching world. As you approach 2022, will you join me in focusing on putting on the “new self” by committing to. . .
Setting our “minds on things above” (3:2)? Realizing that where the mind goes, our lives follow, will we choose to banish from our lives things that cause them to wander away from spiritual truth?
“Putting to death” (3:5-7) sinful thoughts and actions? This execution includes any form of sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, and idolatry.
Purposing to “put away” the five sins that destroy unity among believers (3:8)? These include anger, wrath, malice, verbal sins (slander and filthy language), and the choice to lie.
Daily rejecting “the old self” and choosing to “put on the new self” by intentionally allowing our minds to be renewed in the knowledge of Christ (3:9-10)?
Allowing our lifestyles to reflect our Savior’s character in our relationships (3:12-13)? Paul suggests a variety of qualities:
Sympathetic responses to others in the form of compassion.
Benevolent actions that demonstrate kindness.
Humility as we view ourselves from God’s perspective. This quality quickly squelches pride.
Meekness, which allows us to endure personal offenses without seeking retaliation.
Patience, the opposite of anger and resentment, which challenges us to put the needs of others ahead of our own.
Forgiveness, that calls to remembrance the forgiveness that Christ consistently bestows upon us.
Love. The Colossians 3:14 reference echoes the words of 1 Corinthians 13:13 that identifies love as the greatest of all virtues. Love blends all of the previous character qualities together and establishes the foundation for a harmonious lifestyle.
The presence of God’s peace in our lives, regardless of the circumstances. Recalling that there is nothing that enters our lives that has not already passed through our heavenly Father’s grid of approval helps us embrace this quality.
Thankfulness—a quality that rejects pride and stimulates a reflex reaction of gratitude for all that our heavenly Father does for us daily!
As 2022 approaches I encourage you to focus on the reality that the “putting off, putting on” process is a way of life, not a one-time event. Kelsey’s Korner directs our thoughts to the implications of the “putting off, putting on” lifestyle taught in Ephesians 4:22-24.
KELSEY’S KORNER
When I was in high school I stayed thin and in great shape. But unlike most kids my age, my body was not naturally thin and athletic. I had to work very hard to maintain my size! Yet despite the arduous work, in all honestly, it wasn’t difficult at all. It was easy turning down the brownies at small group and spending my evenings running. Want to know how? I was fueled by “greater affections,” namely, vanity and lust…
Fast forward 10+ years, and, by God’s grace alone, the vanity and lust that sought dominion over me are conquered! And my trophy? I weigh a solid 40 lbs. heavier than my high school years. I “put off” my old sins but never “put on” anything other than the extra weight! Without my former “roadblocks” in place, gluttony and sloth crept their way into my heart, seeking dominion.
My personal Bible reading lately has me in the gospel of Luke. As I read, Christ’s 3-versed teaching on the return of the unclean spirit in 11:24-26 stood out. Normally, I speed over those verses and think, “good thing believers can’t get possessed!” But this time the pericope caught my attention. The concept is the same “put off” “put on” established in Ephesians 4:22-24, and the implications are far more reaching than demon possession.
When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.
When we neglect to replace sin with godliness, other sins will seek to take up residence in our hearts! If we see selfishness in our lives and don’t seek to replace it with godly love, pride will infect our thinking, whispering lies about how caring we are, how philanthropic, how charitable! When we sense jealousness or covetousness in our perceptions and don’t seek to replace it with godly joy and gratitude, ungodly piety and self-reliance convince us that we are better than everyone else and not actually all that wicked, either. Just like the demon-possessed man in Jesus’ story, if we clean up our hearts but don’t fill the void with the “greater affections” of righteousness and holiness, we may find ourselves worse off than we started.
As 2021 draws to a close and we all look forward to welcoming in the new year, join with me in the endeavor of not just putting off, but of putting on “the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24).
THE EVERYDAY HOMEMAKER’S MONTHLY MEDITATION THOUGHT
God’s Word states, “If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth” (Col. 3:1-2).
Therefore, I may boldly say, “as I welcome 2022 I will choose to ‘put off the old and put on the new’ by allowing Scripture to permeate every aspect of my life (Col. 316)!”
You might enjoy other of our new year related Posts:
“Is Faith Your Focus for 2021”
“Is Your Vision 20/20 for 2020?”
“Are You Building Your Spiritual Immune System?”
“Are You Content in Your Tests and Trials?”
“The Godly Woman’s 2016 Priorities“
Blessings on your day as you focus on making your house a home!