[You] have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Colossians 3:10
You've seen the ads claiming that products are "new and improved." That also describes Christians.
Saint Paul talks about some of the works of the old nature: sexual immorality, impurity, evil desire, anger, malice, and slander. These words characterize the sinful nature in all people. But later Paul lists some traits of the new nature: compassion, kindness, meekness, patience, love, and harmony. That's quite an improvement! Actually, it's more than an improvement; it's a radical change brought about by the Holy Spirit, who renews us so we become more and more like Christ, our Savior.
Periodically we should look at our lives and ask which nature is most evident: the old or the new. Are our lives characterized by anger, impatience, selfishness, jealousy, and envy? Or do words like gentle, kind, and loving describe who we are?
"All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ" (Galatians 3:27). The Christian life is a constant struggle to put off the old nature, with which we were born, and to live according to the new nature, given us in Baptism. By the power of the Spirit dwelling in our hearts, God renews us, making us truly new and improved.
PRAYER: Lord, Jesus, make us new in You and like You. Amen.
(Devotions from "The Abundant Life" copyright 1998, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time e-mailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)
Today's Bible Readings: Song 6-8 Acts 7:22-43
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