Young People's Group

THE CHALLENGE TO PUT ON THE NEW MAN

by Pastor Mitch
February 06, 2015

Seeking And Setting Our Hearts On Christ

If we truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, we should seek to be different from the world. Our focus would not be on the things of earth. We would seek to focus on the things that really matter … heavenly matters … relating to the Lord Jesus.

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is” 
Colossians 3:1

When there is a strong sense of identification with Christ for all that He had done for us, our heart should focus on seeking Him. Paul challenged the Colossians to focus more on things above … on Christ, rather than the earthly and carnal things. Our heart would desire to abide in Him and in His word. Our mind should be set on things above. We would then put off the “old man” (which is of the earth) and put on the new man (which is of above … heaven).

Putting Off The Old Man

“But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds”
Colossians 3:8-9

Paul challenged all that there must come a sense of urgency in wanting to put off the sins of our “old man”. Now is the time to change, not later. Paul recorded for us a list of sins that sometimes we tend to overlook. Anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language and lying are common sins that we grapple with. There are two mentions of things to “put off” in this passage. The second “put off” has the idea of a tremendous sense of renouncing of the “old man”. We are to totally divest ourselves from our old sinful ways. The first “put off” has the idea of laying aside. We should no longer allow ourselves to sin in this manner. Let’s seek to be so identified with Christ that we would indeed set aside our old man.

Putting On The New Man

“And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew … but Christ is all and in all.” 
Colossians 3:10-11

The word “renewed” in Greek means “to be made new”. When we belong to the Lord as His children, we can be transformed into someone totally new. This new person in Christ is capable of far deeper thoughts and knowledge. Paul also wrote in the text of Ephesians 4:20 that we are to be renewed in the spirit of our mind. We are meant to have a new spiritual mindset that would help us put on the new man. The new man has the capacity to go into depths of knowledge that a non-believer cannot even attempt. This deep and practical knowledge would contribute to the process of being transformed. There is also the work of the Spirit in changing us from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). Changing from glory to glory could come in two ways. Firstly, we would be transformed to be more like the Lord Jesus. We are meant to be conformed to the image of Christ. The Lord who created us desires us to be more like Him. Secondly, we should seek to be one in Christ. There are no more barriers between those who are in Christ. There are no more boundaries with reference to race and language. For in Christ, we are all one. Young people, let’s seek to put on the new man that we may be one in Christ.

Back to Article Listing