15. Your Purity – Take Time to Be Holy (2)
Hymns: RHC 306 Pass Me Not 247 Cleanse Me 372 More Holiness Give Me
Colossians 3:5-17
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Col. 3:5-17 KJV)
Your Purity – Take Time to Be Holy (2)
OUTLINE
- Put Off the Old Man (v5-9)
- Put On the New Man (v10-17)
Continue…
- Put On the New Man (v10-17)
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Why should we be living a godly life? Because of the new nature that is given us! We are enabled, enpowered by God through Christ to live this abundant life!
The word “new” in contrast to the “old” speaks of what is superior in nature to the former new. Figuratively, of persons renewed in nature; substantivally new, renewed person.
The verb “to put on” literally means “to clothe” is in the middle voice meaning the subject himself or herself has to do the action. With the stripping off of the old nature there has come a new nature, the new man. We have laid aside the old garment, the “hand me down” rags from Adam and have put on the new garment, the new man in Christ. The more we put off the old nature, the greater freedom we have for the renewal of our new self according to the image of God. [Precept Austin]
Our old life without Christ came to an end when we “put off the old man with his deeds” (3:9); now our new life in Christ has begun as we “put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge” (3:10).[1]
As has been shown (Colossians 2:11-12), when they were baptized the Colossians had decisively renounced — put off and cast away — “the old man” (Rom. 6:6; Eph. 4:22), that is, “the body of the flesh,” their former manner of existence, their earlier wicked selves, “with his deeds,” the very deeds listed in 3:5, 8, 9a, and had put on the new man, Christ (Gal. 3:27), that is, the new nature which believers have as members of Christ. Hence, let them now adorn their baptismal profession of faith with a godly life.[2]
Colossians 2:11-12 (KJV) In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Romans 6:6 (KJV) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Ephesians 4:22 (KJV) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Galatians 3:27 (KJV) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
There is a responsibility entrusted and a duty to be carried here for the man of God. We are to be renewed in knowledge after the image of Christ. Put on the character of Christ, the Person of Christ, in all His communicable attributes. Those attributes that is in Him and we can possess, therefore we are exhorted to assimilate them.
In Christ, we are one, there is no distinction of race, or outward sign of faith, where one is a Jew or a Gentile or social standing or position.
The final reason for putting off the evils of the old self is that the new self brings a renewal that is so radical, it changes all human relationships – 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Barbarian (3:11). Among the Greeks and Romans, “barbarians” were people who lacked the civility of Greek or Roman culture. A barbarian could be any foreigner who spoke a language other than Greek or Latin and was different in appearance, manners, and behaviour.
Scythian (3:11). Historically, the Scythians were northern people located along the northern coast of the Black Sea in the area of what is today southern Ukraine. To the Greeks, the Scythians were a violent, uneducated, and uncivilized people. Josephus reflects a common view of the Scythians when he says, “Now, as to the Scythians, they take a pleasure in killing men, and differ little from brute beasts.” For those who have been incorporated into the body of Christ, there is no longer a distinction between people based on ethnicity, culture, gender, or social status.[3]
The verb “renewed” is in the passive voice, it means “being renewed”, there is an external agent or factor that brings about that renewal. And this is in the present continuous tense. It is a moment by moment, day to day, year to year, sanctifying process in the believer’s life.
2 Corinthians 4:16 (KJV) For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
There is constant renewal taking place in the believer’s life as he keeps increasing in true knowledge of what God is like. This knowledge leads to progressively being conformed to the image of the Creator, and thus building a life like his. [William MacDonald]
We must put off:
Sensuality — sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed.
Evil attitudes — anger, rage, malice.
Evil speech — slander, filthy language.
Deception — do not lie to each other.
Why must we put these things off? Because we have: A new self “renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him”, in the image of its Creator. New relationships — “Where there is neither Greek or Jew … but Christ is all, and is in all.” [William MacDonald]
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
The word “elect” means “of the basis of salvation in God’s calling people to belong to Himself elect, chosen”.
In the middle voice (as here in v10) it means to clothe oneself with something, in this case the “new man”, who is clothed in the robes of Christ’s righteousness and now needs to practice what this privileged position entails, i.e., to manifest His righteousness each day toward God and toward men in everyday life.
Aorist tense indicates this putting on is a past completed action and includes the idea that this action was decisive.
When did we put on the new? This “putting on” occurred the moment the old self (old man) died with Christ, at the time of regeneration by grace through faith. In verse 9 above, the “put off” is also Aorist Tense, and one can deduce that the action of both verbs took place at the same time in the past, corresponding to the moment we believed in Christ.” [Precept Austin]
S. Lewis Johnson explains enduo as used in v10 writing that “The believer, having been severed from his connection with Adam the first, has now been clothed with and joined to Adam the last in all His fragrance and beauty. (Bibliotheca Sacra: Volume 121, Issue 481, 1964).
And so what is true about every believer is that they have put on the new self, which describes their new position as children of God, His new creations. We now are secure in an inseparable union with Christ and are fully identified with His life. Our old self has been laid aside. Because of our new position, we now are in possession of divine, supernatural power which gives every believer the potential to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). [Precept Austin]
Romans 6:4 (KJV) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
… holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
We are to live out this new life characterized by holiness. We are precious in God’s sight, beloved, clothed with His infinite love that won our ability to live in holiness.
Our bowels literally of the body inward part, such as heart, bowels, liver; only plural in the NT; literally intestines, viscera, inward parts of the body, located in the belly (Acts 1:18); figuratively; the deep, inner seat of tender emotions in the whole personality, in differing cultures conceived of as heart, stomach, bowels (2Corinthians 7:15); the heartfelt emotion itself, translated to fit the context affection, love, deep feeling, compassion (Philippians 1:8).
Philippians 1:8 (KJV) For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
Mercy – as a motivating emotion sympathy, mercy, pity. [Friberg Lexicon]
Peter O’Brien says that this term forcefully expressed personality at the deepest level, especially in the matter of living. [William MacDonald]
Matthew 9:35-36 (KJV) And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
The adjective “all” and “every” is used three times to describe the scope of Jesus’ work, it is comprehensive. He covered the grounds, left no corner of cites and villages not evangelized. It is demanding physically speaking. Jesus set for us the example, “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Rom. 10:15b cf. Isa. 52:7).
The principal activities were preaching and praying. He was spreading the good news of the gospel. He preached the word to all who are willing to listen. Jesus also taught. He showed to them the true sense of the laws of God in Matthew 5-7. How do we live our lives in the light of God’s Word that will bring God’s blessings!
He also healed the sick. We see this in Matthew 8-9. These mighty works authenticated Jesus’ credentials as the Messiah King. Today, we do not possess such supernatural power of miracle healing but we can pray for the needs of those we meet, acknowledging that power comes from God, and we submit ourselves to His sovereign power and will to heal.
Our Lord went about all the cities and villages and He was among the people. We can see imagine the picture of weariness and toil in the work of the gospel. It required physical, mental and spiritual endurance. Our Lord demonstrated to us this commitment by His excellent example for our emulation.
The hard work was undergirded with a resolve and purposeful determination in the heart to this gospel work despite setbacks. Matthew described by two verbs, Jesus “saw” and “moved with compassion”. Jesus is able to read the hearts to see the burdens in the hearts of the multitude. There was sorrow, grief, affliction, trouble, sin that was in the heart of these. He was not think about Himself and His interest but He had in mind their interest and welfare.
In this verse, we see the great value of lost souls in the heart of our Lord.
As He saw their lost estate, it drove Him into action. Jesus felt deeply for them. He is the good Shepherd who cared for His sheep.
This unconditional and sacrificial love is God’s power flowing in the life of God’s children. It comes as an overflow of the Holy Spirit’s power in the believer’s heart. It comes because the child of God has been touched by God’s love. Jesus demonstrated the greatness of this love in His ministry on earth. For us who are saved, it is a love that flow out of gratitude and indebtedness. We have been forgiven much, though undeserved. Unless we realize our lost estate and experienced in our hearts the reconciliation with God by the finished work of Christ on the cross, we cannot live out this love. It keeps us humble and loving.
Jonathan Goforth, missionary to China, often sang this chorus as a prayer as he reflected on his ministry. He desired that God keep his heart burning for lost souls.
LORD Crucified, Give me a heart like Thine:
Teach me to love the dying souls of men.
Oh, Keep my heart in close touch with Thee;
And give me love-pure Calvary love to bring the lost to Thee
The last days before our Lord’s coming are characterized by sin – Matthew 24:12 “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”
Kindness – as a gracious attitude goodness, kindness (Romans 2:4), opposite ἀποτομία (severity); as moral integrity uprightness, honesty (2 Corinthians 6:6); do what is right (Romans 3:12).
Romans 2:4 (KJV) Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
2 Corinthians 6:6 (KJV) By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
Romans 3:12 (KJV) They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Jesus’ words to the woman caught in adultery – go and sin no more.
John 8:10-12 (KJV) When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
… humbleness of mind in the NT, as a quality of voluntary submission and unselfishness humility, self-effacement (Acts 20:19), opposite ὑπερηφανία (arrogance, pride); in a negative sense, as a misdirected submission in cultic behaviour self-abasement, (false) humility, self-mortification (Colossians 2:18,23) [Friberg Lexicon]
Acts 20:19 (KJV) Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
Colossians 2:18 (KJV) Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Colossians 2:23 (KJV) Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
… meekness – as a quality of gentle friendliness gentleness, meekness (as strength that accommodates to another’s weakness), consideration [Friberg Lexicon]
Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
We should mark who they are that Jesus invites. He does not address those who feel themselves righteous and worthy: He addresses “all that labour and are heavy laden.” It is a wide description: it comprises multitudes in this weary world. All who feel a load on their heart, of which they would fain get free, a load of sin or a load of sorrow, a load of anxiety or a load of remorse, all, whosoever they may be, and whatsoever their past lives, all such are invited to come to Christ.
We should mark what a gracious offer Jesus makes: “I will give you rest. Ye shall find rest to your souls.” How cheering and comfortable are these words! Unrest is one great characteristic of the world: hurry, vexation, failure, disappointment, stare us in the face on every side. But here is hope: there is an ark of refuge for the weary, as truly as there was for Noah’s dove. There is rest in Christ, rest of conscience, and rest of heart, rest built on pardon of all sin, rest flowing from peace with God.
We should mark what a simple request Jesus makes to the labouring and heavy-laden ones. “Come unto Me: Take my yoke upon you, learn of Me.” He interposes no hard conditions; He speaks nothing of work to be done first, and deservingness of His gifts to be established: He only asks us to come to Him just as we are, with all our sins, and to submit ourselves like little children to His teaching. “Go not,” He seems to say, “to man for relief. Wait not for help to arise from any other quarter. Just as you are, this very day, come to Me.”
We should mark what an encouraging account Jesus gives of Himself. He says, “I am meek and lowly of heart.” How true that is, the experience of all the saints of God has often proved.
Mary and Martha at Bethany, Peter after his fall, the disciples after the resurrection, Thomas after his cold unbelief, all tasted the “meekness and gentleness of Christ.” It is the only place in Scripture where the “heart” of Christ is actually named. It is a saying never to be forgotten.
We should mark, lastly, the encouraging account that Jesus gives of His service. He says, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” No doubt there is a cross to be carried, if we follow Christ; no doubt there are trials to be endured, and battles to be fought: but the comforts of the Gospel far outweigh the cross.
Compared to the service of the world and sin, compared to the yoke of Jewish ceremonies, and the bondage of human superstition, Christ’s service is in the highest sense easy and light.
His yoke is no more a burden than the feathers are to a bird; His commandments are not grievous; His ways are ways of pleasantness, and all His paths are peace. (1 John 5:3; Prov. 3:17)
1 John 5:3 (KJV) For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Proverbs 3:17 (KJV) Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
… longsuffering as a state of emotional quietness in the face of unfavourable circumstances patience, long-suffering; as patience under trial endurance, steadfastness (Hebrews 6:12); as constraint exercised toward others forbearance, patience (2 Corinthians 6:6); as God’s constraint of his wrath long-suffering, forbearance (Romans 2:4).
Hebrews 6:12 (KJV) That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
2 Corinthians 6:6 (KJV) By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
Romans 2:4 (KJV) Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
This is a most enduring quality of Christ especially in His journey from Gethsemane to Calvary. He could have activated the legions of angels to destroy His enemies. Yet He suffered it.
It describes a capacity for restraint in face of what is provocative, in response to obnoxious acts or attitudes patience, forbearance at the level of interpersonal relationships 2 Cor 6:6; Gal 5:22; Eph 4:2; Col 3:12; 2 Ti 3:10; 4:2. [Danker]
2 Corinthians 6:6 (KJV) By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
Galatians 5:22 (KJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Ephesians 4:2 (KJV) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
2 Timothy 3:10 (KJV) But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Longsuffering is the Greek word “μακροθυμία” transliterated as “makrothuméō”. It is defined a state of emotional quietness in the face of unfavorable circumstances. In this context, it describes the believer as exhibiting patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs inflicted by others (Thayer Lexicon).
It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is not a natural action of man but a supernatural action of the Holy Spirit working in the believer. It is an attribute of God (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 86:15; Jeremiah 15:15; Romans 2:4; 9:22; 1Peter 3:20; 2Peter 3:9, 15. It is a communicable attribute that believers possess as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), says Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 6:6; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 1:11; 3:12; 1Timothy 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:10; 4:2).
There is the example of Job in all his afflictions that we have studied at length.
To be continued…
[1] Swindoll, C. R. (2017). Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (Vol. 9, p. 166). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
[2] Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of Colossians and Philemon (Vol. 6, p. 149). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
[3] Arnold, C. E. (2002). Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Romans to Philemon. (Vol. 3, p. 395). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.