“Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,” – Colossians 3:9-10
Scripture reading: Colossians 3:8-11
The catechism helps us answer the question: “What is involved in genuine conversion?” Using among other texts Colossians 3:5-10, the instructor answers: “Two things: the dying-away of the old self, and the rising-to-life of the new.”
Orthodoxy, the right doctrine, must show itself in a changed life of orthopraxis or proper practice. New creatures live in a new way in part by changing their ways. It does not matter about nationality, ethnicity, race or culture. Every human being needs to change. We need to stop sinning and offending God. It is only when the glory of Christ in us happens, as we have learned utilizing our orthodoxy in Christ, that orthopraxis can happen. Sinners saved by grace live by grace and reject all that is ungracious.
That is a long list of sins there. You can find one or two of the ones you used to walk in. I understand that many in Colosse were former Jews or Gentiles, and so that change in their adult way of living was powerful. They had to make some choices about walking away from who they used to be. Maybe you have been in a church setting your whole life, so the change is less pronounced. If we are honest, we know these sins still cling to us and we still need to be active in the Spirit’s work of conversion so that we let Christ rule and be our all in all.
Suggestions for prayer
Pray for a change, or the continuing change of heart, to be weaned from the temptations of this world to the glory of Christ. Pray for the hallowing of the Father’s name that His Kingdom will come and be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.
