SANCTIFICATION: A NEW SELF

COLOSSIANS 3:5-11

NOVEMBER  21, 1999

 

A low view of union with Jesus Christ produces a superficial Christianity. When the sinner is united with Christ in his death and resurrection through faith, he enters into a vital, living union with Jesus Christ. The resulting union practically affects the whole personality.

 

The Christian's basis for action in the Christian life can be found in the term "therefore." It points back to the description of union with Jesus, showing that because the believer is in union with Christ he will live differently and distinctly. The motivation for such living is four-fold:

Therefore take action to live as a believer. You can because of your union with Christ. You must because of the price paid for your salvation. You will because of the sanctifying work going on in you.

 

Let us consider the practical aspects of our union with Christ.

 

I. Course of Action

 

The text calls for action on the part of the believer in light of his union with Christ. Christianity is never to be thought of as a passive religion. It is not that we take action to save ourselves; but once we are saved, we are to be full of obedient action to the glory of God.

 

1. Moral purity

 

I would call your attention to three imperatives that speak of the action we are to take. First, the believer is to consider the members of his earthly body as dead to moral impurity. The phrase could be translated as either, "Put to death the members of your earthly body," or "Consider (reckon) the members of your earthly body as dead." "Consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and greed, which amounts to idolatry." The use of such a term implies austere measures. It is similar to what our Lord stated, "If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of our body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell" (Matt. 5:29). The companion verse calls for cutting off your right hand if it causes you to stumble. It is obvious that Jesus did not mean to bring out a cleaver and physically take such action, but he speaks this metaphorically. It implies, along with what Paul has stated, that the Christian is to so guard his moral life that he labors to die to the evil passions that would violate standards of holiness. It recognizes that the problem is not in our hands and eyes per se, but in our hearts. So the passions of the heart must be disciplined and set upon that which honors Christ.

 

In past centuries, English law required a pickpocket, if caught, to have his right hand cut off. If he continued and was caught, then his left hand was cut off. One pickpocket reportedly lost both hands but continued his trade with his teeth. It proved that the problem was not the hands but the heart! [Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word: Colossians, 96]. The same is true of us. Moral problems begin in the heart. So great attention must be given to the condition of the heart.

 

Paul lists five sins of passion, with the first three distinctly sexual in nature and the last two being the culmination of uncontrolled desires. I honestly cannot think of a more fitting list of vices that describes the present condition in our own culture. "Immorality" (porneia) refers to any type of sexual activity outside of marriage. The word broadly covers the gamut from sexual improprieties, to affairs, and to perversions. We get our English word, pornography, from this Greek term. Even with this English word we find various names attached to it to describe the multifaceted world of pornography. The lexographers who coined the term identified it properly, for the use of pornography in any form ultimately leads to immorality. Need I add that there is never any good that comes out of immorality? Paul's audience had come out of an idolatrous background, which typically involved immoral behavior as an act of idolatrous worship. So he reminds those who had grown accustomed to such behavior, who now were believers, to die to immoral behavior. How many homes have been wrecked, futures ruined, and families shattered by immorality? Yet because of the wretchedness of the human heart it seems that the major subject of the entertainment industry is some aspect of immorality! We pay money and use the time entrusted to us t stir evil passions in our hearts. Let us heed this exhortation to put that aspect of our lives to death!

 

The next two terms add to the root of immorality. "Impurity" or "uncleanness" "embraces the lurid imagination, speech, and deed of a sensual heart or filthy mind" (Hughes, 96). Can we think of this warning the next time we are tempted to feast our eyes and minds on impure things? "Passion" refers to being governed by one's sensual drive or desires. The word obviously is found in the emotions. It implies that a person becomes so emotionally wrapped up in sensual thought, that he is ruled by it. Paul says, "Die to your sensual passions." Let your passions be for Christ and holiness, not that which is impure. "Evil desire" can be translated as "lust" and is wider than the previous term, referring to 'all evil longing'. It may be sexual longings or material longings that govern the life. Either case, the believer must die to such desires.

 

The final term of this group of five is "greed, which amounts to idolatry." It means "insatiable selfishness" [Linguistic Key, 578] or "insatiable desire to lay hands on material things" [Peter T. O'Brien, Word Biblical Commentary, 182]. Jesus warned about this, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions" (Luke 12:15). This is a fixation on the material world, a grabbing after more and more things, an appetite that is uncontrolled when it comes to having more than others or desiring what belongs to other people. Kent Hughes explains how Paul describes the sin of "greed" as "idolatry."

 

Whatever I put my trust in, I worship. Materialism is the true religion of thousands of confessing Christians today. There is a sense in which covetousness is even more dangerous than sensuality, because it has so many respectable forms. So often it is the successful covetous person whom we honor. As the proverb goes: If a man is drunk with wine, we kick him out of the church; if he is drunk with money, we make him a deacon! [Hughes, 97]

 

2. Relational liberty

 

The next set of vices Paul warns about has to do with relationships. They manifest themselves in our attitude, actions, or tongue. "But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth." The term, "put them all aside" refers to an action on the part of the believer. It is realizing that these sins may have been part of our lives before coming to Christ, but now we are to shed them just like we would soiled clothes. As those who now have a new nature, we must lay aside by the act of our will and through personal discipline, all of these sins that defile our relationships. This begins by admitting such sin to the Lord and ourselves (I John 1:9, confession means "to agree with God"). It means recognizing those things that spur on the sin. Once we see that, then we can seek to avoid the situation that creates the sin or, if that is not possible, exercise restraint on ourselves. Using Scripture can help us refocus as can setting our minds upon the character of Christ.

 

Notice the sins Paul names. "Anger" refers to an abiding, settled habit of mind with the purpose of revenge. We might call it, deep-seated, vengeful anger. It is the smoldering volcano that lies dormant for years then finally erupts. Such an attitude poisons every relationship, whether at home or in the workplace or at school. Anger acts like a time bomb that ticks and ticks until it finally explodes. The anger may be triggered over hurts from the past or cutting remarks or jealousy or a thousand other things. Regardless of what caused it, Paul declares, 'Put it aside. It is not befitting to you as a child of God'.

 

Some of the biggest mistakes we can make and some of the worst hurts we can inflict upon those around us comes due to anger. Often people excuse their anger. They refer to being wronged or to some genuine injustice. Yet the Christian, the one who has been redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, has no cause to continue in anger. Do you struggle with anger? Will you take seriously what the Word of God instructs you to do?

 

"Wrath" is similar to anger in that it refers to an inward, boiling spirit. But it differs in that it refers to a burning anger that flares up, burning with the intensity of a fire [LK, 579]. It is seen in a quick temper or a rage that suddenly bursts forth. It is an uncontrolled spirit of anger, boiling close to the surface so that it spills over without warning. It is easily agitated. Its source is the same as anger: nursing wounds or injustices and refusing to truly forgive. Some times jealousy, envy, or coveting can spill over into wrath. "Malice" carries the idea of being mean spirited. It is a vicious nature that is bent on destroying or hurting others. Just like Haman who planned and gleefully delighted in the gallows he had made to hang the godly Mordecai, malice plots and schemes to see others hurt. It may not be plans that are carried out. But the attitude is there nonetheless. And the Word of God declares that even the attitude without the action is sin and must be laid aside.

 

The next two terms have to do with the tongue. "Slander" might be called 'a belittling tongue'. It is the attempt to bring someone else into disrepute or to paint him or her in a bad light or to say something to give him or her a bad reputation. "Abusive speech" implies a foul-mouth. It is filthy or dirty talk, defiling those around you or even aimed at those with whom you are angry. It is the obscene tongue that finds pleasure in telling damaging or impure things. The believer is instructed, "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear" (Eph. 4:29).

 

Are you a believer? Then lay aside these things, for they are unbecoming of those who are redeemed. Ask the Lord for strength to lay these things aside. Claim God's promises to help you. Replace each vice with a virtue that will serve others.

 

3. Personal integrity

 

The Christian is to be trusted. His word must always be sure. So Paul commands, "Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices." The unregenerate condition easily give way to lies, is the implication, but not so for the believer. Christians live together in a community of faith. They are to learn to love one another and depend upon one another in a healthy community fashion. Lying undermines the whole relationship of trust. Do you recall that occasion in the early church when Ananias and Sapphira lied to the church? Peter told them that their lie was really against the Holy Spirit, the One who indwells the church corporately. For that sin, they were quickly removed.

 

The interests of God's kingdom are not served by lying. The quickest way to destroy relationships is through a lying tongue. By God's grace, walk with integrity in your heart, being truthful with one another.

 

II. Reality Check

 

As a reminder to the believers to take action on these sins, Paul gives a little reality check. In comes in a two-fold fashion.

 

1. God's wrath

 

It is because of such sins that God's own wrath, his righteous anger that has been temporarily withheld until the time of judgment, will fall upon those who practice such sins. "For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience." God's wrath is not a contradiction of his love. They are "not mutually exclusive," as though one cancels out the legitimacy of the other. We see this in both the Old and New Testaments, where God demonstrates the magnificence of his love and mercy, but also demonstrates the certainty of his wrath. The reality of divine wrath reminds us of the utter holiness of God and the heinous nature of our sin. Apart from God's redemptive mercy in Christ, we would all face his wrath. Peter O'Brien offers a clear explanation of God's wrath. 

A holy God does not stand idly by when men act unrighteously, transgress the law, show disdain to him as their creator or spurn his love and mercy. He acts in a righteous manner punishing sin in the present and especially on the final day. Yet God also acquits the guilty, and only the person who understands something of the greatness of his wrath will be mastered by the greatness of his mercy. The converse also is true: only he who has experienced the greatness of God's mercy can understand something of how great that wrath must be [O'Brien, 185].

The implication Paul gives is very clear. If someone can hear the warning about laying aside and dying to these sins, persisting in them without effort to truly repent, then they can expect the wrath of God. Wrath only comes to the unbelieving, not to those whose sins have been pardoned through the work of Christ at the cross. Those who refuse to deal with sin give evidence that they have never been pardoned from their sin. Though they may lay great claim to religion, if the work of Christ has not been applied to the heart, then wrath awaits them.

 

2. Your past condition

 

In light of this, Paul takes a backward look, helping the Colossian believers to remember the pit from which they were delivered. "And in them you also once walked, when you were living in them." Do you see these sins? Paul asks. They describe what used to be your life before Jesus Christ showed mercy to you, pursuing you in your stubbornness, bringing the light of the gospel to your mind, and saving you by his grace. Before the work of Christ was applied to you, you felt comfortable in these sins. You could excuse them in your minds without any big problem. You may have had to wrestle a bit with what little trappings of divine law you have heard, but still in all, you considered yourself a free person, able to do whatever you desired.

 

But when the Word of God began to penetrate the hardened shell of your lawlessness, you found yourself overcome with fear of God's wrath. You began to have a holy hatred of your sin and a terror over what you deserved. You realized that you were truly a sinner and as such, you deserved all the fierceness of God's wrath. That's what you used to be, but no longer. In light of this, live as those who have been delivered from the wrath to come. Do not live like what you are not! With this reality check of God's wrath and the believer's past condition, we see the call to radical living due to faith in Christ.

 

III. Radical Living

 

Paul offers a clear rationale for why he can command the believers to die to their sins and lay their sins aside. Jesus Christ came "to take away sins" (I John 3:5). The believer cannot have the same relationship to sin that he lived in before trusting Christ. John even declared, "No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God" (I John 3:9).

 

1. Decisiveness of conversion

This is first seen in the decisiveness of conversion. Notice several terms that he uses to help us see that becoming a Christian is a radical change of life due to the grace of God that brings you to a deep, lasting repentance. "But now you also," he writes after explaining that you used to walk in all these sins. "But now" speaks of a radical shift that has taken place. You have a new nature and therefore a new capacity and new reason to put your sins aside. You are not to live in the patterns and habit of the past. A change has occurred inwardly, affecting every part of your being. The more you grow in Christ, the more you realize this. You are not satisfied with the old patterns of sin, but desire inwardly to please the Lord who has forgiven you through his own sacrifice at the cross.

 

What happens when a person repents of his sin and believes in the Lord? A decisive break with sin occurs "since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices and put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him." You did not just make a casual decision, as though you were joining a club. You died to your sin. You turned away from your self-centered lifestyle. Your break from the walk of sin was not morally neutral. You dumped off the old life with its sinful ways as though you were tossing a heavy load off your shoulders. And you took up to yourself a radically new life, with a new nature, new desires, and new passions. It affected your whole personality, your whole being.

 

You may say, 'My experience was not like that. I just made a decision in church one day but it didn't have any noticeable affect on my life'. Then consider how the Apostle analyzes true conversion in this text. It is not simply desiring to go to heaven when you die. It involves the whole of your life and lifestyle, turning from sin by God's grace and embracing a new life bent on holiness.

 

2. Certainty of sanctification

 

Notice how the believer is assured that he is being sanctified by the Lord: "and put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him-a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all." He is not speaking of something that might take place in the Christian. Instead, he refers to the certainty and constancy of being renewed. This is the same term that is used in Romans 12:2 when were are told to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." It implies a newness in quality that keeps growing and changing and improving in the believer.

 

When you come to faith in Christ, you still have the same body with the same brain. All the patterns of the past are etched in your mind. But as you grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, a renewing process takes place. Those old patterns are gradually culled and the newness of life in Christ fills your mind. This is the glory of sanctification: that the Lord will work his grace in us, reproducing us in the image of Jesus Christ.

 

The renewing affects the way you think and what you understand about the Lord, his will, and his working in your life. Our translation calls it "a true knowledge." It could be translated as "a thorough knowledge." It is intensive, life-changing knowledge that shapes the way you live your life according to the pattern found in Christ. It is knowledge of him, which is why Paul declares that his whole passion is to proclaim Christ (Col. 1:29).

 

How does this renewal take place? We must recall the words of our Lord in his high priestly prayer: "Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth" (John 17:17). As we partake of God's Word, hearing it, reading it, thinking upon it, meditating on it, digesting it and applying I, then the gradual work of sanctification occurs. Certainly the Lord uses other things in the sanctification process as in our trials, testing, needs, relationships, etc. But foremost of all is the Word. That is why the renewing that takes place is to a "true knowledge according to the image of the One who created" us.

 

If you are born of God, a sure evidence of it is the sanctifying work of the Spirit in your life. You have the assurance that the One who began his work in you will complete it (Philip.1:6).

 

Conclusion

 

This is radical living. We must never be satisfied with simply going to church each week but not living radically for Christ in the balance of the week. Your union with Christ demands a different lifestyle. May the Lord do his transforming work in each of us.

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