The Renewed Life

Christ Jesus is the sovereign God-man who is seated on the throne of God in heaven (Eph 2:6). He is at the right hand of God the Father in majestic glory (Heb 1:3; 8:1). He is the King of glory and our great high priest ascended and enthroned (Ps 24; Heb 4:14). All authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Him who has been given the name above every other name (Mt 28:18; Phil 2:11).

Christians are said to be “in Christ” by His doing (1 Cor 1:30), having been baptized by His Spirit into the body of Christ, His church, the Israel of God (1 Cor 12:13; Gal 6:16). This union with Christ was secured by the perfect execution of the terms of the eternal covenant. Jesus was/is the faithful and true covenant partner with God; which positions Him as the one Mediator between God and man (1 Tim 2:5; Heb 8:6; 9:15; 12:24). With perfect sinlessness and perfect obedience (Jn 8:29; 14:31; Heb 4:15), Jesus fulfilled all righteousness. As a man, Jesus was justified by His meritorious works to keep and fulfill all the requirements of the Law of God (Mt 5:17).

Jesus’ sacrifice for sins in our place, on our behalf, and for our benefit has secured forgiveness and granted us an alien righteousness (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 10:12; 1 Pet 2:24). We are justified before God by the blood of the cross (Rom 5:9). We have died with Christ (Rom 6:3; Eph 2:5). We have been buried with Christ in baptism (Rom 6:4; Col 2:12); and we have been raised to new life (2 Cor 5:17). This life is hidden with Christ in God, who is seated above (Col 3:3).

In Colossians 3:5–11, the Apostle Paul wrote the church at Colossae in western Asia Minor. His practical instruction for them, based on the doctrine of Christ (Col 1–2), had them looking to Christ above (3:1–4). We, too, need to focus on Christ.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is our life (Jn 1:14; Col 3:4). He made us alive to God when He and the Father sent the Holy Spirit to cause us to be born again (Jn 3:1–8; 14:26; 15:26; Eph 1:13; 2:5; Col 2:13; 1 Pet 1:3). In taking up permanent residence in our hearts, the Holy Spirit is the life of God in the souls of the regenerate (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11). He who is spiritual (filled with the Spirit) walks by the Spirit (Gal 5:16, 25), who causes us to walk in the statutes of God (Ezek 36:27). Not that these changes have made the Christian sinless or perfect in any way; rather, it is God in us willing and doing His good pleasure (Phil 2:13).

Paul produced two vice lists in Colossians 3:5, 8. He insisted that true believers are dead to the very attributes of the natural man who is void of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Jn 3:36; 14:17; 1 Cor 2:14; 1 Jn 5:12; 2 Jn 1:9). The wrath of God is directed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (Rom 1:18) including: immorality; impurity; passion; evil desire; and greed which is idolatry. Anger; wrath; malice; slander; and abusive speech — along with lies are unbecoming of the new man. These are the attributes of sinful man that invite the wrath of God against the sons of disobedience (Eph 2:1–3; Col 3:6). This is the old self marked by a hardened heart and a futile mind both set on the things of earth (Eph 4:17). For the believer, in the past, there was love for the world (Jn 3:19), the things of the world, and the pride of life that died (1 Jn 2:15–17).

Christians are witnesses to the work of the indwelling Spirit, who is the faithful and true witness of Jesus Christ (Jn 15:16; Acts 1:8). It is the Spirit who renews us (Titus 3:5). When Paul wrote of one being renewed (Rom 12:2; Eph 4:23), daily (2 Cor 4:16), we learn that this renewal has an end goal objective. To have a true knowledge of Christ, that is, to know Christ is the end goal of the Christian life (Col 2:2; 3:10; 2 Pet 1:3, 8). We now have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16); and it is given to us to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

God shows no partiality in this work of His grace (Col 3:11). We are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:28); and Christ is in every vessel of mercy prepared for glory (Rom 9:23; Col 1:27). As it is written in Colossians 3:11, “Christ is all, and in all” (believers). This mutual indwelling means the Christian has an ever-present help in time of need (Heb 4:16). The Christian life is lived by faith in the Son of God (Gal 2:20). Trusting in the Lord with all one’s heart is evidence of His work from within (Prv 3:5–6).

Walking in faith is not a passive waiting around for something to happen. Waiters in a restaurant do not stand around. They attend and serve as need manifests to them. Christ came to serve (Mk 10:45); and Christians serve the living God (1 Thess 1:9; Heb 9:14), striving according to God’s power who works mightily in us (Col 1:29). We are led by the Spirit, who guides us into all truth (Jn 16:13).

Renewal happens to us. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. Christians have Christ as our vision, as we look to Him who is the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb 12:2). Faith is tested (Jas 1:3); and it grows (increases). The anchor for the soul of the believer is Christ himself in heaven (Heb 6:19). We should not be surprised when diverse temptations and trials come upon us (Jas 1:2–4). However, God is causing them all to work together for us who love Him and who are called according to His purposes (Rom 8:28). Faith becomes like gold in which impurities are removed by fire (1 Pet 1:7).

Christians are witnesses to the faith given to us and witnesses to the fire of testing sent from heaven. Our testimony includes the removal of those old self attributes…the dross. We trust that He who began this good work in us will complete it for His glory and our delight (Phil 1:6).

In conclusion, the Spirit of Christ, who created the new self, is our Teacher (Jn 14:26; Col 3:10). The Christian’s life goal is to know Christ, in order to know God the Father (Mt 11:27; Lk 10:22; Jn 10:38; 14:7, 9; 17:25). God has set this goal for every believer; and God is working to achieve this goal. Christ is our Sabbath rest, whereby, we no longer perform the dead works of our own will; but our trust is in His work in which He accomplishes all that concerns us (Ps 57:2; 138:8). We rest in Him who performs all our works for us (Is 26:12).

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

March 17, 2024

Colossians 3:5–11