Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Col. 3:110
There is an old story of an Indian converted to Christ. He explained there was a battle going on inside. He compared it to two dogs fighting. One represented the good, the other bad temptations.
He was asked, "Which one wins?"
He replied, "Whichever one I feed the most."
Last week we wrote about "Games Christian's play". Paul saw the Gnostics trying to force the new Colossian believers to play religious games of legalism. People love to judge one another by rules. They like to judge themselves by rules to see who is better.
God looks at the heart, but it is hard for us to look at the heart so we look at outward actions. Does that mean our actions do not matter?
Paul explained the idea of two natures. There is confusion and a struggle that goes on in lives of believers. We are dead to sin in Christ, but we still sin. We know that Christ calls us to live a different life as a believer than we lived before. God does not judge us according to our deeds, but our faith. So, what difference does it make how to live?
I was talking to someone who felt he had to give up all his sins before he could accept Jesus as his savior. Christ came for sinners to save them. If we did not sin, we would not need a savior. As Romans teaches all have sinned and all come short of the glory of God and the price of sin is death and separation from God. The Bible tells us that all our righteous acts are as filthy rags before God, and Jesus said, “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” (John 6:37)
It is grace that saves us through faith when our heart cry is, "Here I am, now you take over". We repent of our sins and desire for Him to make us a new person. If we do not have that desire, then we are not allowing God to work in our lives.
When you open up your life to His Holy Spirit, He does the changing. You then have been given a new nature. As II Cor 5:17 says, "Old things have passed away, behold all things become as new.” Your old nature is dead, but we still feel the effects of sin and temptations and the draw upon our lives to go our own way instead of Christ way.
Jesus said that you must take up your cross daily and follow Him. (Mark 8:34) Like in the Indian parable this is a matter of which nature you are going to nourish. In Christ we have been made free, but in the flesh, we think we are still in prison and do not take advantage of what is ours. In Christ we are given a new Nature. Which one are you nurturing?
Application: On this Independence Day we celebrate the birth of our nation and independence from England. We can celebrate our new birth and of our new nature when Jesus came and liberated us from Satan. Celebrate!! Thank Him for saving you!
Lord, thank you for freeing me from this sinful nature and giving me new Life in Christ.
*****************************
If you wish to get the fuller version of this daily devotion, send a request via email to pastordale@outlook.com
