Holiness, Godliness, Usefulness
09/26/2014, by John Kincaid
Lesson 371: God's Family is Free from Our Differences
Col.3:9b-10 you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Christians gradually become more like Christ. Through our union with Him, we put off our old reflexes and put on our new self. This change has a far-reaching impact.
All believers are in union with Christ; all believers are in process of becoming more like Him.
Gal.3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
The differences between us should be melting. As a result, the pride and prejudice based on our differences should also be melting.
Our personality remains distinct; each person is a unique creation of God. But each believer grows more like our Lord in character and holiness.
The reflex of the selfish human heart is to live only for me. We think of the Gospel in terms of what’s in it for me: Jesus saved me. I’m free from my sin. He protects me. I will go to heaven.
But our union with Christ means that we have unity with His body, the church, despite our individual differences and spiritual gifts. Paul urges us to have a bigger view of the Gospel.
Grace rescued me from my personal sin. But it also creates a community of believers.
We have responsibilities within this community, but also great freedom found nowhere else.
Believers are free to be concerned & committed to others; our changed lives reflect God’s love.
About This Series
The goal of this series is to become more useful in serving the Lord Jesus Christ, as an instrument in the Redeemer's hand. The theme verses for the series are Ephesians 4:22-24, Philemon 11, 2 Timothy 2:21
- to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
- and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
- Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.
- Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.