September 2 | Week 1: Grace and Devotion
The New Creation Has Come
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
1. What is gone? What has come?
My old self is gone. I am a new creation in Christ.
2. What are some old things in your life that God is still putting behind you?
Selfishness. Anger. Unforgiveness. Pride. All of these I must consistently fight to put to death. Grateful for God, discipleship, and the Holy Spirit working.
Raised With Christ
Colossians 3:1-10 (See link)
1. Since you were raised with Christ, what should you set your heart and mind on (v. 1-2)?
On things above – one of which is Jesus. I should actively train my mind to *not* focus on earthly things.
2. Make a list of the old self that verses 5-9 tell you to take off.
Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed. Why is greed idolatry? One aspect is that money and the pursuit of it *or* the protection of it becomes the priority instead of the kingdom. We worry – thinking money is the solution (or a job, which is the means to earn money) and so we prioritize money (e.g. our Job) over God. All the others are obvious (Galatians 5:19-21).
Sexual Immorality, Sefishness, Insecure Pride
For me, the idol was sexual sins. (c.f. Ephesians 5:3-7, especially verse 5 “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”) Another thing, I cursed *a lot.* I mean, A LOT…like a salty, war-torn, seasoned sailor soiled with bitterness and bile. Additonally, I was fond of “tall tales” and self elevation (pride/insecurity). Not to mention, anger and rage rooted in parental issues, teenage/youthful rebellion, and selfishness all lounging comfortably in my soul. Of course, I had to put all that to death through Christ…and *continually* put all of it down every day! (Luke 9:23)
3. What are you putting on instead (v. 10)?
The new self. A renewed mind and person, renewed through knowledge of God and renewed in God’s image. (Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.“)
APPLICATION
Pick one thing from the old self list that still hangs around. Confess it today and ask a brother or sister to pray with you about it.
– Anger. Unfortunately, I can sin in thirsting for respect, feeling entitle to it due to effort, age, and so on. Additonally, I’m too easily annoyed at folks in traffic. Sometimes, I fall into assuming the worst in a situation – which is a very mistrustful *unspiritual* thinking. Love always trusts. Lastly, I must battle my low faith – especially when it comes to things with my physical faimily.
Amen.
