PUT ON CHRIST
Romans 12:1-2 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Men, we cannot be half-hearted regarding our conformity to the image of Christ. It cost Christ Jesus His life blood for us to have the privilege of bearing His image. He gave His all, whole-heartedly, with drops of blood falling to the ground even before the whipping and excruciating pain of His cross. How can we be so nonchalant and casual over any trace of our self-life of which we have not yet abhorred and repented? Whatever is abhorrent to God should be abhorrent to us.
Some may say, “If only I had been with Jesus like the disciples were, then I know I would be more like Jesus”. Another might say, “If only some great painter would provide me with His exact likeness, then I would be able to be like Jesus.” But none of these aids can make us like Him. There is only one way. It is by acknowledging as a fact that my old self-nature was crucified with Christ and I cannot allow any trace of this odorous self to be manifest. Ever!
I must also count as a fact that I am raised with Christ from death to self, to put on the nature of His resurrection life. Every day we have the privilege and power to put on Christ. One cannot paint a picture of what Christ looks like, yet by His indwelling Spirit we can manifest His fruits of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self control (Galatians 5:22-23).
We will then be a living portrait of what Christ really looks like, first of all to our family, and then to the world.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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Men, we cannot be half-hearted regarding our conformity to the image of Christ. It cost Christ Jesus His life blood for us to have the privilege of bearing His image. He gave His all, whole-heartedly, with drops of blood falling to the ground even before the whipping and excruciating pain of His cross. How can we be so nonchalant and casual over any trace of our self-life of which we have not yet abhorred and repented? Whatever is abhorrent to God should be abhorrent to us.
Some may say, “If only I had been with Jesus like the disciples were, then I know I would be more like Jesus”. Another might say, “If only some great painter would provide me with His exact likeness, then I would be able to be like Jesus.” But none of these aids can make us like Him. There is only one way. It is by acknowledging as a fact that my old self-nature was crucified with Christ and I cannot allow any trace of this odorous self to be manifest. Ever!
I must also count as a fact that I am raised with Christ from death to self, to put on the nature of His resurrection life. Every day we have the privilege and power to put on Christ. One cannot paint a picture of what Christ looks like, yet by His indwelling Spirit we can manifest His fruits of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self control (Galatians 5:22-23).
We will then be a living portrait of what Christ really looks like, first of all to our family, and then to the world.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
Read More