October 13, 2021: Are We Utilizing the Three Tools God Has Given Us to Walk a Changed Life for Him?

In the Book of Colossians, the Apostle Paul contends with the "hollow and deceptive philosophy" that the Colossians were dealing with in their time. He was reminding them that they have died and are raised with Christ into a new body and a new family of believers in Christ, which is the church (Colossians 3: 12-15).

The Apostle Paul uses the comparison of "taking off and putting on" our clothing. That we must take off our "old self", our old fleshly desires, and... "And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him" (Col. 3: 10 NKJV). The key words in this verse are: "renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him"

First Tool: God's Word is our most powerful tool available to us in the "purification process" of the renewing of our mind. We as Christians, are to be "continually renewing" our knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ. In the Book of Romans, the Apostle Paul says the following:

Romans 12: 2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Second Tool: The Holy Spirit must be in control, always, in our walk with Him. We must continually be "fully surrendered" to His leading and directing of all facets of our life, (every room in our life). As it says in Colossians 3: 14-15: "But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. (15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts". The Holy Spirt is "love", and since we already have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, we must constantly let Him rule our hearts.

Third Tool: The Family of Believers, our third tool is as important as the other two. We must not attempt to try and walk our Christian life alone. We are God's elect, God's chosen people, and we are to work together as "one body", the church.

Colossians 3: 12-13

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do".

PERSONNAL COMMENT:

As we come to recognize the importance of these three tools that God has given us, and as we continually remain fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit in our lives, we will come to find that our walk with God and with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, will bring about a "changed life for Him".