Allowing God To Take Me In a New Direction

In review of Colossians 3:9-10 it says, “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.”

Bottom Line:

Put off your old self and take on your new self, one that is being renewed and becoming more like Him.

What this means to me:

I no longer need to lie to others, I have taken off my old self with its ways and put on a new self, which gets renewed as I learn more about and understand God better.

Today's verse comes from the first part of Colossians 3. Paul is telling me how to live the new life I am not part of. Since I have been raised to new life with Christ, I should set my sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, and not the things of earth. So I am to put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within me, by stripping off my old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds, and putting on a new nature, one that is renewed as I learn to know and become more like my Creator.

To "put on my new nature" means that my conduct should match my faith. If I'm a follower of Jesus, then act like that. To be a Christian means more than just making good resolutions and having good intentions; it means that I take the right actions. So rid myself of all evil practices and immorality. Then commit myself to what Christ teaches.

The more I know of Christ and his work, the more I am being changed to be like him. Because this process is lifelong, I must never stop learning and obeying. There is no justification for just drifting along, but there is an incentive to find the rich treasures of growing in Him.

Paul's strategy to help me live a life for God day by day is to:

. Imitate Christ's compassionate, forgiving attitude

. Let love guide my life

. Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart

. Always be thankful

. Keep God's Word in me at all times

. Live as Jesus Christ's representative

Shake off anything or anyone that is holding me back. Make room for God to do something new in my life! Don’t be afraid of change. How can I have something better unless I get rid of what I have.

Good is the enemy of better, and better is the enemy of best. Let go of what’s in your hand and let God give you what’s in His. It will be His firstfruits, not the rubbish I have grown accustomed to.

I’m reminded that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. If I’m looking for a fresh start, let God take me in a new direction that fits the new person I am.  Clear the way for Him, and brace yourself, abundance is about to rain into every realm of my life!