Christ in Me: Study of the Book of Colossians – Colossians 3:10-13 (Mid-week Bible Study)
Scripture Reference
“Put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and He lives in all of us. Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
(Colossians 3:10-13)
Introduction
Putting on the life of Christ is the manifestation of our “new nature.” This concept is central to the Christian faith and transformative to the believer’s life. In Colossians 3:10-13, Paul exhorts believers to “put on” their new nature, a key aspect of our series, “Christ in Me.”
When a person accepts Christ by faith, they are spiritually reborn, leaving behind the old sinful nature and being empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life that reflects the character of Christ.
The Old Nature vs. The New Nature
The Old Nature
- The natural state of a person before coming to Christ.
- Controlled by sin, manifested through deceitfulness, pride, and self-centeredness (Romans 6:6, Ephesians 4:22, Mark 7:21-23).
- Preoccupied with temporary, worldly pleasures, often leading to idolatry (Philippians 3:19).
- Separated from God (Isaiah 59:2).
The New Nature
- A result of the believer’s rebirth in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 John 1:9).
- Restores fellowship with God, freeing believers from sin’s grip (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
- Involves the renewal of the mind, transforming how we think and live (Ephesians 4:22-24, Romans 12:2).
“We are being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).
“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
Qualifications for the Life of Christ
Qualified by Mercy
Mercy is God withholding the judgment we deserve and offering forgiveness and grace.
- References: 1 Peter 2:10, Ephesians 2:4-5
Qualified by Grace
Grace is the unmerited favor of God that enables believers to live godly lives.
- “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- Grace empowers believers to live as new creations in Christ.
Access by Faith
Faith is trust and reliance on God’s promises through Jesus Christ.
- “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
In Christ, race, gender, social, or economic status are irrelevant. All are one in Him, equally loved and accepted by God (Galatians 3:28).
Attributes of the New Man
- Tenderhearted Mercy: Showing compassion and forgiveness to others, even when undeserved (Luke 6:36, Ephesians 4:32).
- Kindness: A fundamental expression of love, characterized by friendliness and generosity (Galatians 5:22).
- Humility: Freedom from pride or arrogance, recognizing that all we have comes from God (Philippians 2:3-4).
- Gentleness: A calm and considerate spirit, refraining from harshness or aggression (Philippians 4:5).
- Patience: The ability to endure difficulties or people without frustration, reflecting Christ’s long-suffering nature (Romans 12:12, James 5:8).
- Making Allowance for Each Other’s Faults: Extending grace to others by forgiving and striving for peace and unity.
- Forgiveness: At the heart of the Christian life, as God forgives us, we must forgive others (Ephesians 4:32).
Conclusion
The new nature in Christ brings radical transformation, affecting every aspect of the believer’s life. It calls us to reflect Christ in our thoughts, actions, and relationships. By embracing the virtues outlined in Colossians 3:10-13, we become living testimonies of Christ to the world.
As we continue to renew our minds and embrace our new identity in Christ, we grow into the people God created us to be.
