A Better Old Man?

In Colossians 3, we see a picture of what true Christianity is all about. Paul addresses the Church at Colosse challenging them regarding their Christian walk. He begins by pointing out where their focus should be (Col 3:1-4). The true Christian’s focus and desire will be on “those things which are above”. “Those things” are pursued within the mind of the Christian and sought after with sincerity and whole affection. It is imperative (a command) that we seek and set our affections on these things if we are truly Christian.

Jesus said, “You are from below; I am from above.” (John 8:23). In saying this, Jesus is pointing out that there is a degree of separation between Him and us. That separation, though we are made in His image, is evidenced by the communicable attributes of God. By communicable, I mean, attributes we possess that God possesses. The only difference is that our possession of these attributes is incomplete and God’s possession is perfect, holy and complete. These attributes are mental: wisdom, knowledge and truthfulness and they are also moral: love, mercy, holiness, righteousness, peace, goodness, jealousy and wrath. We possess all these attributes, but they are all tainted with sin.

Paul also reminds them that they have “died” and their life is now hidden in Christ. This is the work of justification. Justification happens once in the life of a true Christian. It is not an on-going process. Romans 3:23-26 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Justification is the result of grace and propitiation. It comes by faith in the redemptive power of Christ Jesus. Once justified, you are declared righteous as a final standing before God. We must understand that it is a final act (Rom 6:9-11). This is what Paul meant by “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God”.

Now look at Colossians 3:9-11. He says do not speak deliberate falsehoods to one another (think of I John “If we say…”); but rather put off the old self or old man and put on the new. The terms “put off” and “put on” refer to the putting on and taking off of clothing. “seeing that ye have put off” is actually one word in Greek and it means to wholly put off or strip off of one’s self for one’s own advantage. Notice the word “wholly”; it is a complete action and a complete separation from the item being taken off. In this case, it is completely separating yourself from the old man or the old sinful deeds of the old man. “Have put on” is also one word meaning to sink into clothing and is a reflexive action. Because you have put off the old man, you will put on the new man (2 Cor 5:17). It is a once for all action; in other words justification.

If you are honest with yourself, you may be thinking, “If this is a once for all complete action, why do I still sin?” Great question; now enters sanctification. Paul says the new man “is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” This is the on-going process of a new life being changed into the image of the One who created the new life. The image of Him is the true Christian being transformed in His likeness not only in the heavenly body (future), but also in the most holy and blessed state of mind of which Christ possesses (Eph 4:24). Again, this is a complete action as evidence by the term “that created”. Christ created the new man in one complete final action. From there the sanctification process begins as the new creation is renewed in the knowledge of the ethical and Devine.

Finally and the reason for the title of this blog, Paul wants them to know that it does not matter who you are because “Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.” There is no distinction between race (Greek and Jew), ability to keep the law (circumcised and uncircumcised), culture or language (barbarian), way of life (Scythian) or social status (Slave or free). The new man can be created from any old man with the creating power of Christ. Please understand that a true Christian is not just a “better” old man meaning the old nature is still there; it is a totally new creation created in the image of God and a new nature. It does not matter who you are, where you have been, what you have done, how your parents raised you or any pre-existing condition you came out of. You are completely new if you are a true Christian. The battle then rests in the mind of the true Christian as Christ, the creator, renews your mind in His likeness and in your sanctification. This is the challenge that Paul puts forth: If you are a true Christian, you will behave like the One who created you. Now the question remains, are you a new man or are you just trying to be a “better” old man? Only you can answer that question and only Christ can recreate you.