Putting On Our New Nature

Scripture: Colossians 3:l0...'Put on your new nature, and be renewed
as you learn to know your creator and become like Him.'
We need to talk about the battle we face between our old sinful nature
that just wants to please ourselves and there is our new nature that
wants to please God. So, there is always a 'choice' between pleasing
'my way' or beckoning to the new nature that wants to please God. So,
there is always a choice between doing only my will or doing what God
wants time and time again. Or, we want to do that which is right but we
do inevitably do what is wrong.

Romans 7 tells us we don't have to live that way. We don't have to
submit to follow our old sinful nature. By the power of Jesus Christ
through His Holy Spirit who lives within us, we can strip off the old and
put on our new Christ-like nature.

But, how do we put on this new nature? Colossians 3:l2 says, 'Since
God chose you to be the 'holy' people He loves, you must clothe
yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness,
and patience. Make allowance for each others faults, and forgive
anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you
must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with 'love' which binds
us all together in perfect harmony. And, let the peace that comes from
Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body, you are called
to live in peace. And, always be thankful.'

So, Paul is telling us to put on the new nature, plus he gives us a list
of what we are to clothe ourselves with. These are characteristics of the
'new nature'. This is what we 'put on' - mercy, kindness, humility,
gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love, peace, and thankfulness.
However, our old sinful nature is like an old hoody shirt. It has
become comfortable. It has become familiar. So, when we are faced
with a tough choice between following our old sinful nature or doing
what is right in the eyes of God, it is much easier to click on our old
sinful ways in true rebellion against God.

The problem with that is we are giving into drinking delicious poison.
It might seem great in the moment but ultimately will bring separation
and death to our souls.

James l: l4-l5 says - 'Temptation comes from our own desires giving
birth to sinful actions. And, when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to
death. So, sin always brings with it consequences and regrets.
Paul asks us to get rid of the hoodie- the junk in your life. It is no
good, That's not to be you anymore. God has given you a 'new nature'

if you have asked Him into your heart and life in total surrender. So,
God has given you a new nature - You take off the old clothing and put
on the new.

So, put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have
nothing to do with sexual immorality or hidden videos or pictures,
impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy for the greedy person is
an idolator, worshipping the things of this world...now is the time to get
rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty filthy language.
Stop lying to one another for you have stripped off your old nature and
all its wicked deeds...Colossians 3:5, 8-9.
So, we are to take off our old nature and as we get to know God in a
more close and personal way, we become like Him. And, when we
again choose to wear the dirty clothes of sin, we need to immediately
repent and once again submit to Christ as our head and in His love and
forgiveness for us.

In Colossians 5:l9 it says...'When you follow the deisres of your sinful
nature, the results are very clear, sexual immorality, impurity, lustful
pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of
anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkedness, wild
parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again as I have before
that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.'
vs. 22 says, 'But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives
'love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control. There
is no law against these things.'

Galatians 5: l9-29...'Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed
the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified
them there'. 'Since we are living (now) by the Spirit, let us follow the
Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.'
Did you ever stop to realize the Holy Spirit wants to lead you in every
part of your life, in the big times and in the small, every second of
everyday?

We will close with this scripture - Colossians 3:l6...'Let the message
about Jesus Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel
each other in all the wisdom He gives. Sing psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs to the Lord with thankful hearts.