Devotions: The Great Exchange

 

and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him

Colossians 3:10 New American Standard Bible 1995

 

There is an exchange that happens at salvation. We are born in sin and slavery, but when we give our lives to Christ He gives us a new life and way of living. In the old life we followed satan in his ways, lying, hating, greedy, selfish, rebellious and abusive. In Christ we can be loving, gracious, merciful, joyful, humble, gentle, patient, forgiving and wise. Paul is saying that we need to actively put off the old and put on the new as we would clothing. We are being renewed which is a work God does in us, but we need to seek and submit to His work. We also need to do our part. When we notice the old coming up, we need to reject it and choose the new. If we notice feelings of anger or bitterness welling up, we need to reject them and choose love and forgiveness instead. If we are tempted to lie, we need to choose truth. This renewal does not happen completely over night. It is a life long process that involves seeking God, learning about Him, and seeking to be like Him daily. Only God can change us, but we need to seek that change and cooperate with it. We become like those we are around, so if we want to be like God we need to spend time with Him in study and prayer, getting to know Him so that we know what He is like. We also become what we think about so we need to think about the things of God, memorizing and repeating Scripture helps with this. This is not an easy process and satan will fight it, not wanting to give us up or allow us to be changed. He will tempt us with the ways of the old which we enjoyed, but we must resist.

What old ways are you tempted by or even hanging on to? Are you actively seeking renewal or are you passively waiting for God to change you? Remember the end game, remember the prize and goal you are working toward, remember why you left the old behind in the first place. Seek and submit to God’s work so that you can be renewed.

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