“Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (Colossians 3:1-10 NIV).
I forgot to bring in one of my plants during a recent cold snap. I was ready to toss it out this spring when my husband implored me to wait a while longer. It was a real struggle against my will to have to wait and watch a beautiful container with an ugly dead plant in it. God’s instructions to us are very clear on how we are to act once we become dead to sin and alive in him. Our natural man, our will, that part of us that desires and wants things that are a part of our old self, must not be allowed to survive or thrive; this must occur so that the life that God intended for each of us to live, can come forth and produce in us and through us, His will and not our own. It wasn’t easy for me to wait for months to catch even the slightest glimmer of hope that this plant would survive. My patience was tested many times when the urge to purge it became very strong. My reward was a beautiful, thriving plant for all to enjoy. Recognize that God wants nothing less for our lives - dying to our old sin nature (seemingly dead at times) and re-growing and flourishing with lives that are intermingled with Christ - productive and beautiful vessels for all to see!
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity”(Colossians 3:12-14 NIV).
Struggling with your old sin nature today? Jesus is waiting at the cross to help you. He will meet you where you are. Don’t delay. Ask him for his strength to put off your old ways and to live the life that He always intended for you to have.