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Colossians 3:10
Comments
We have been renewed in knowledge; we have a knowledge of God. We not only know him theoretically because we know about him and his ways and his standards, but through conversion, through this new nature, we know him in experience – he has touched our lives. The conscience is now informed and brought to life, we understand so very much and we have experienced the power and the blessing of God. Shouldn’t these blessings move us to fight against any re-entry of the old ways? We have put on the new nature; the new man which is renewed in knowledge ‘after the image of him that created him.’ We have been made that much more like Christ with the new nature. One day we are going to be entirely like him, wonderfully so. Of course, we will not be divine but we will reflect him in every perfection. Why, these things should move us. First of all, this verse speaks of progressive renewal. Paul uses the present tense – ‘which is being renewed in knowledge’. You have repented and you were converted, you were given a new nature, and the old nature went into the background but can still assert itself. If I daily put away certain sins, why does the apostle say, this means you are being renewed in knowledge? Because, to put away sin causes you to be bathed in understanding. As you put away the sins, you get a deeper view of the old nature. ‘I could have said that; I could have done that. I would have done so in the past; previously it ruled me.’ You get a sight of the ugliness and the nastiness of the old nature. And as you are renewed and you have the help of God in putting those things away, you get a fresh shaft of knowledge, a fresh insight into what it is that you are fighting against. I have been a Christian say 60 years, but I increasingly know what that old nature is like and how foul it is. And then you are obviously increased in knowledge of the power of God. I never realised I could put that away and God would help me even as I did so he would provide the strength. Every day, walking like this, putting away these urges of the old nature, I appreciate more and more the power of the Spirit of God. Then also I appreciate the consequences of these virtues because since I have been making a practise of this – stamping out the old nature – then I have been used of God, and people have been attracted to my testimony, and my family have been sweeter and more involved, and everything has been so much better. And so I can see the consequences of these virtues and the effect. And I have had fresher light from the Word of God, and I have learned more, and appreciated the doctrine. Renewed in knowledge: it is a great promise. ‘
Application
You know, when man was created in the first place, he was given a beautiful conscience, an awareness of right and wrong. He was given this understanding of the standards that God required and he smashed it all up and he ruined it. But when you are born again, you are given a new, very tender conscience. You have got knowledge of what you should do and what you shouldn’t do. You have been re-created. Now, therefore, put away the residue of sin that clings and seek the Lord’s help in living a better and a different life.
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