“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” Col. 3:10

Living a holy life is not automatic. We have a responsibility to engage in our own spiritual growth and development, seeking to add Christian virtues (morally good behavior or characteristics) and subtracting worldly vices (bad or immoral behavior.)  through the power and filling of the Holy Ghost. Regardless to how long we have been a Chirstain, what matters most and gives credence to our profession of faith, is our attitude, submission and our practice of the virtues outlined in God’s Word.

Christ dwells in the life of every born-again believer; to dwell means to be at home as to keep house…. the Greek word is enoikeito…and it does not mean just to keep the house in order, but to richly keep it with excellence! Colossians 3:16 (KJV) states: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

The apostle Paul goes on to write of the new creatures we become in Christ Jesus “If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:21-24 (KJV) 

As we learn and grow spiritually, we are compelled to live with different qualities as those in the world: may we humbly let go and let Jesus live His life in and through us. The scripture admonishes us to : “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Colossians 3:12-14 (KJV) 

The crowning of all the virtues listed above is LOVE…God’s love is the driving force behind every born again-believer, it is the only thing that will bind our hearts, minds, bodies and souls together; teaching, leading, and growing us in the Word now and throughout eternity.

We must settle it in our hearts, that our old conversations, habits, and friends that were in times past influences of this world, are no longer what we desire to gravitate towards, but we fervently press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus as stated in Philippians 3:13-14 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

My friends, let us seek to walk worthy of our calling, displaying attitudes that will help to draw men, women, boys and girls towards our Savior… like extending love, joy, peace, compassion, longsuffering, forgiveness and holiness, forever giving God all the glory and honor because He is worthy. . . we are God’s workmanship, and through the power of the Holy Ghost, we are able to live as the new creatures in Christ Jesus that He has created us to be. “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” Col. 3:10 (KJV)

God blessings and amazing grace be with you all.