Are You Finished With That?

OK, I'll admit it. I'm not much of a neat freak. When I'm finished using something, I'll often leave it laying around somewhere instead of putting it away. Sometimes, I'll see it laying there and pick it up and use it again before putting it away. Convenient or just lazy?

Paul is telling us here in Colossians to put things away. Of course, if we're to be putting them away, that means we need to be finished with the,. Anger: be finished with it. Rage: stop it and put it away! Malice: put it down and put it away. Slander: but, I like slander. Nope. Put it away. Abusive language: no more. Put it away.

All of this belongs to our old self. Since, we have died with Christ and are living in Him, we have a new self. None of this belongs to the new self. Put it away and put on your new self. You're going to like it.

Why Do You Stll...

Have you ever known someone who you could tell from the way they talked wasn't from around here? Could you tell by the way they dressed or acted? Maybe you know someone who moved from Florida to Massecgusetts and in the middle of winter when there's a foot of snow on the ground, they're still wearing shorts and a t-shirt outside. Would you ask them why they're dressed that way when it doesn't seem to be appropriate? What would you say if they responded, "I'm from Florida. I always wear shorts and a t-shirt." When someone has made such a change in state, they should change their actions in a manner appropriate to their new state.

Likewise, when we have truly become Christ's, having moved from the kingdom of the world and of he law to the kingdom of God and of grace, should we keep living according to the law? Absolutely not! The law may be useful to us, but grace should shape who we are. Never should we fear to step out in faith and follow Christ because we fear what the world will think of us. We are dead to the world and alive in Christ! The chains are broken. You are free! It is easy not to change and still do what you have always done, but you dear reader aren't from around here. Live like it!