The New You

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:12-17

Jesus told the people: “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Following this theme, Paul wrote: “Those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness...” (Colossians 3:12).

The “good works” we do in Christ never consist of worldly honors and material gains. On our own, we can never achieve the level of spirituality Christ spoke of. But thanks to His presence in us, this is attainable. We honor God by allowing the Holy Spirit to reflect Christ’s life in us. The light of your life should be Jesus Christ. A heart of compassion, a look of kindness and true humility, or a gentle spirit cannot be forced. It is an overflow of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of a believer.

Can we block His activity? Yes. Sin, legalism, complacency, and lack of repentance block God’s work in and through us. When God sees you, He sees the very core of your being. Allow Him to work through you to reveal His nature so when people see you, they will see Jesus and lives will be changed.

“The Christian life must be lived in the will, not in the emotions.” -Catherine Marshall