Christian Character

Handfuls on Purpose Devotions for MAFA • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

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Transcript

The believers at Colosse are here reminded that as Christians there are some things they must put off as inconsistent; some things they must put on as absolutely needful; some things to do as proof of their faith; and how they should be done as an evidence of true-hearted devotion.

Some Things to Put Off (vs. 9)

The Old Man

Ephesians 4:22 The old carnal (fleshly, worldly) mind which is corrupt, and which lives under the spell of deceitful lusts. We are to throw off that old part of ourselves.

His Deeds

Verse 8 tells us what these are: Anger, wrath (anger that seeks punishment or revenge), malice (desire to cause unjustified pain or injury), blasphemy (insulting God, or showing a lack of reverence or respect for God), and filthy communication.

Hebrews 12:1 tells us that these weights and sins “easily beset us.” Beset means to trouble of harass. Why do Christians need to be told to put off the things that are more like the Devil than God? We need to be mindful of the fact that sin comes easily to bother us, so we must be purposeful to put those parts of our nature aside. This requires the work of the Holy Spirit inside us to do.

Some Things to Put On

The New Man

Verse 10 tells us that the new man is after the image of God.

To put on the new man is to give the Lord Jesus Christ His true place in our life.

The picture in these verses is one of wearing a mantle, which is a covering like an overcoat or a cloak that goes over everything. This mantle over everything symbolizes preeminence (high rank, dignity, importance) or authority. We are to take off the mantle of the old sinful man and put on the one that is in the image of God.

His Features

Mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness (mild, submissive, moderate), longsuffering, forbearance (lenience, refraining from enforcing something that is due) and forgiveness.

Verse 14 tells us above all we are to put on love. Why? Because God is love.

1 John 4:12-16 God is love, and if we dwell in love it is a sign that God lives in us. We should always be working to be more like God.

Some Things to Let In

The Peace of God

Verse 15 says, “let the peace of God rule in your hearts.”

Romans 14:17 says the Kingdom of God is “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” How happy our hearts would be if the peace of God ruled in us.

Isaiah 26:3 We can let this peace rule in our hearts by submitting to the will of the God who is able to say “Peace, be still” to His creation.

The Word of God

Verse 16 tells us to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.”

Hebrews 4:12 Tells us that God’s word is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

John 5:39 tells us to search the scriptures because they testify about God.

We need God’s Word in our soul if our character is to be enriched and our testimony made fruitful.

Some Things to Let Out

What we have taken in by faith should be let out in our service. Matthew 10:8 tells us that we have freely received, so we should freely give.

Serve Loyally

Verse 17 says, “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” How different life would be if our ordinary duties were done for Christ’s sake. Even the most lowly and unimportant of deeds would seem less shameful or meaningless if they were done in Jesus’ name.

Serve Heartily

Verse 23 says, “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as unto the Lord.” Not to be seen doing it, or to please men, but to please the Lord. Heartless service and lip-service is hypocrisy.

Serve Thankfully

Verse 17 tells us to “Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

Ephesians 5:20 says we should give thanks always for all things.

The Lord has done great things for us, and is still doing them on our behalf, so “His praise should be continually in our mouths” (Psalm 34:1).

Job 1:21 In giving and in taking away, God’s name is still to be blessed.

Some Things for Which we Look Up

Verse 24 tells us that we serve the Lord Christ, and from Him we shall receive the reward of the inheritance.

Ephesians 6:8 says that every good thing we do is going to be rewarded.

The inheritance as a harvest will be according to our works. Romans 2:6 tells us that the Lord shall render to every man according to his deeds.

But to see Him, and be made like Him, and to dwell with Him — that is the reward of grace alone.

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