The new me ...

How about some of the pictorial language used in the Scriptures. Looking at Colossians tonight I encountered that putting off, putting on, clothe yourselves ... I am reminded of the difference that ought to be evident in my life now that I have encountered Christ, now that He has affected my life.

Where once the temptations and attractions of the world might have us caught up in all sorts of impure and negative behaviours, Christ turns this around for us, there are positive behaviours to be experienced. Have a look with me again:

Colossians 3:5-15 (The Message)

5-8And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That's a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. It's because of this kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger. It wasn't long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. But you know better now, so make sure it's all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk. 9-11Don't lie to one another.

Again, I latch on to the language of Eugene Peterson here, how well does he capture it in today's words. There is much that attracts us, grabs at our senses, emotions and fallen state. However, all is not lost, read on:

You're done with that old life. It's like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you've stripped off and put in the fire. Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ. 12-14So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. 15-17Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

Yes, allow the character of Christ to change you. See how He makes these behaviours to fit you. To BE who He created you to BE.

 

"Jesus, fit me with my new wardrobe of behaviour and character that is right and good and beneficial for me and for those I interact with. Make me to be like You!"