Colossians 3.12-15 (Ephesians 4.17-24) Put On the New Man Colossians 3.12-15 (Ephesians 4.17-24) Last week we talked about Paul’s instructions for putting off the old man. Today, we continue with his commands to put on the New Man. We will be using Colossians 3.12-15 as our text…but let’s look at one other passage by way of introduction to our subject: [next slide for Eph 4:17-24 NKJV]

Ephesians 4.17-18 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; {Ephesians 4.17-18} This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; [continued on next slide]

Ephesians 4.19-21 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: {Eph. 4.19-21} who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: [continued on next slide]

Ephesians 4.22-24 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, {23} and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, {24} and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph 4:22-24 NKJV) that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, {23} and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, {24} and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. So, now being introduced to the language of this great change that is to take place within the Christian…we turn to our text in Colossians 3 [next slide]

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. {Col. 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. [continued on next slide]

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, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. {Col. 3.14-15} {14} 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, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. We do not belong to ourselves – (1 Cor 6:19-20 NKJV) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? {20} For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. We are to put off what Paul calls our “members which are on the earth” - Col. 3.5 Put to death the deeds of the body – Romans 8.13 And replace those things with something else… [next]

Colossians 3.12 Tender Mercies Kindness Humility Meekness Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on: Tender Mercies Kindness Humility Meekness Longsuffering Again in Colossians 3.12… Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on: [adv] Tender Mercies [adv] Kindness [adv] Humility [adv] Meekness [adv] Longsuffering [next]

Tender Mercies Compassionate heart But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? {18} My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:17-18 NKJV) Tender Mercies = “pity from the gut” (KJV “bowels of mercy”) [adv] Compassionate heart [adv] (1 John 3:17-18 NKJV) But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his HEART from him, how does the love of God abide in him? {18} My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. Here the word is just “SPLAGCHNON” – intestines or guts Can we then get an idea of the depth of this mercy and pity? [next]

Kindness Gentleness, goodness, unselfishness (usefulness, to do good): to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. (2 Pet 1:7 NKJV) Kindness [adv] Gentleness, unselfishness (usefulness, to do good) The negative is stated by the prophet – (Rom 3:12 NKJV) “They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who DOES GOOD, no, not one.“ [adv] (2 Pet 1:7 NKJV) to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. Note here is next to the greatest of all the characteristics of a Christian…love (agape). [next]

Humility To regard self as least "And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Mat 23:12 NKJV) Humility [adv] To regard self as least [adv] (Mat 23:12 NKJV) "And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Moses, Jesus, the apostles after the truth sank in. (Phil 2:5-9 NKJV) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, {6} who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, {7} but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. {8} And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. {9} Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, [next]

Meekness Strength and courage under control coupled with kindness, gentleness & humility Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. {30} For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Mat 11:29-30 KJV) Meekness [adv] Strength and courage under control coupled with kindness, gentleness & humility It is the kind of thing that can only be accomplished knowing Whom we serve, and His power, and that we do NOT depend on our own strength. [adv] (Mat 11:29-30 KJV) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. {30} For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. [next]

Longsuffering One of the fruits of the Spirit – Gal. 5.22 Bear injury and insult without retaliation One of the fruits of the Spirit – Gal. 5.22 How often applied to God in OT Longsuffering [adv] To bear injury and insult without retaliation [adv] One of the fruits of the Spirit – Gal. 5.22 [adv] How often applied to God in the OT: Exo 34:6-7 NKJV (6) And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, (7) keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…."

Other instructions “Bearing with one another” - Put up with each other Disagree without being disagreeable Other instructions: [adv] “Bearing with one another” [adv] Put up with each other [adv] Disagree without be disagreeable Eph 4:2-3 NKJV (2) with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, (3) endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [next slide]

Other instructions “forgiving one another” - From the same root word as “grace” Mark 11.25-26 Other instructions: [adv] “Forgiving one another” [adv] From the same root word as “grace” Mar 11:25-26 NKJV (25) "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. (26) But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." [next slide]

Above All - Love “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” v. 14 2 Peter 1.7 1 Peter 4.7-8 John 13.34-35 Above All, put on love [adv] “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” v. 14 [adv] 2Pe 1:7 NKJV (7) to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. [adv] 1Pe 4:7-8 NKJV (7) But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. (8) And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "LOVE WILL COVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS." [adv] Joh 13:34-35 NKJV (34) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. (35) By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Put On the New Man Ephesians 4.22-24 Eph 4:22-24 NKJV (22) that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, (23) and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, (24) and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.