“Once”

in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. (Colossians 3.7)

Are you forsaking the life you once lived?

The Colossian Christians were not perfect. They struggled with fleshly desires, but sin did not have dominion over them. Their old selves were crucified with Christ, and they were raised to newness of life with Christ (Romans 3.23; 6.1-14; 7.17). As new creations, Paul urged them to seek heavenly things through their new ability to understand spiritual things. He told them to set their minds on heavenly things, not earthly things. The reality was that there was still an internal battle going on with the flesh. Paul tells them to kill those desires of the old person. Sexual sins, evil desires, and greed represent worship of self. This idolatry was the reason that God’s wrath would be poured out on unbelievers. This idolatry characterized the lives that the Colossian Christians once lived. They still had the ability to commit these sins, but Paul encouraged them to forsake the lives they once lived. He tells them to take off the dirty clothes of bitterness, angry outbursts, evil speech, slander, filthy language, and lies that create disunity. They needed to put on the clean clothes of righteousness and grow in Christ. They needed to forsake the lives they once lived and unite in Christ (Colossians 3.1-11).

We are not perfect. We struggle with fleshly desires, but we are not controlled by the old sinful self. God has given us a new lease on life and transformed us from the inside out. Until we see Him face-to-face, we will struggle with the unredeemed part of our flesh. We are declared holy in Christ, and He is making us holier day by day (Romans 8.29; Philippians 1.6). The Holy Spirit enables us to walk in the Spirit and to understand spiritual truths that were once a mystery to us (1 Corinthians 2.10-14; Ephesians 1.17-18). We must make a conscience effort to slay the flesh daily by submitting to God. Sin is not only harmful to us as individuals; it is a harm to unity of the body of Christ. Sin brings shame upon the name of Christ and His church. The world is characterized by division and strife (Galatians 5.19-21). The church is to be characterized by unity and peace (1 Corinthians 1.10; Ephesians 4.1-6). This can only be accomplished through God’s enabling power to put off the flesh and to put on the righteousness of Christ. We need to forsake the lives that we once lived and unite in Christ.

Is your life as a Christian different from what it used be as a lost person? If not, there is sin that needs to be addressed in your life (1 John 2.1; 3.4). Do you realize that living a holy life takes effort? You must be purposeful in rejecting your sinful desires and following Christ (Galatians 5.16-18). Do you realize that Christians have the power to live holy lives through the indwelling Holy Spirit? If practical holiness only depended upon you, you would fail. Christians are declared holy based on Christ’s perfect obedience that is credited to them (Romans 5.18; 2 Corinthians 5.21; 1 Peter 2.24). Christians are made holy based on Christ’s presence in their lives (2 Corinthians 3.18; 1 Thessalonians 5.23). In eternity, that practical holiness will be complete in Him (1 John 3.2; Revelation 21.27). You need to submit to the Spirit and Word daily to forsake the life that you once lived.

God, thank You for loving me despite my sin. You loved me enough to save me, and You love me enough to shape me into the image of Your Son. Thank You that Your Spirit and Word are given to me to refine me. Empower me to walk with You today and to forsake the life that I once lived. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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Once | Colossians 3.7
Weekly Bible Devotional

Written and Produced by:
Reverend David Lyda
Little Stevens Creek Baptist Church
Edgefield, SC

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.