Our Constant Spiritual Duties (Part 2)

Put off, Put on, and Let

Put Off

There are things that we as Christians need to put off. As long as you are in the flesh there are going to be problems. We have the ability and responsibility to put off those things and it’s of great importance to do. Colossians 3:5-9 covers all of the things that we need to put off, and kill them out of the flesh. Just because we live in the flesh gives us no excuse to do the things of the flesh. How many of you would still get upset with people and lose your temper? Have you let something slip from your tongue that shouldn’t have? One day we will put off the flesh for good but until that day comes, we will and must put off the fleshly desires that it wants.

Put On

It’s important that the world sees the right thing. How many of us have put on the robe of righteousness? If you’ve questions if you’ve ever put on that robe then you need to seek after Christ. We are called to be different than the world. Colossians 3:10-11 begins what we as Christians need to put on. As Christians, we should be clothed properly. It’s not about the physical clothing because as a Christian you should know what’s proper and not.

The new man must be put on all the time. Reading and studying renew the knowledge of the new man. Take time in your life, daily to read and study the Word of God. If you’ve been born again does it still bother you to live in the old way? It should! 

The bride of Christ is beautiful. It’s the pearl of great price that has been purchased and is priceless. The bride of Christ does not wear rags. Many men that have pastored our church, and fed the flock throughout the years wore the robe of Christ’s righteousness. The world can look at them and see that they were different. At work or school, you might have to wear a uniform that they require. The uniform they require tells them and shows the world that you are a part of that organization. Have you put on Christ? 

Bowels of Mercies

It’s easier to look down on someone than to show them mercy. A child of God can look at anyone and say that if it were not for the grace of God you could be a _(Insert sin here)_. Instead of judging someone put on the mercy of God. We do not fuel God’s love, He does and we must show it to others.

Kindness

The spotless bride of Christ is kind. When someone attends or knows someone from NPPBC they should say they didn’t judge and were so kind. Don’t you like to be around people that are kind to you? Wasn’t He kind of Christ to come your way one day and knock on your heart’s door?

Humbleness of Mind

As the bride of Christ, we haven’t done anything deserving of God’s love. We ought to recognize that He has done everything for us all while being undeserving of all of it. Christ Himself was humble to not speak a word and go through the torture of our sins while He was innocent of ALL of them. 

Meekness

Meekness is NOT weakness. In order to be weak one must have been strong. We are not strong by ourselves. Christ is what makes us strong. Do you realize that Christ could have called 12 legends of angels to stop His crucifixion? Christ said that when someone “smacks” you that you are to offer your other cheek to them. Meekness. How many dead people that stood up for their rights died still them? When you fight back no one sees the meekness of God.

Long-suffering

If meekness is round 1 then long-suffering is round 2. How many times are you to forgive someone? Long-suffering to those that persecute you for His name’s sake. How many times have you been at odds with your spouse, friend, or neighbor? They keep up with doing something you were at odds with and then all of a sudden you feel like you’ve had enough.

Forbearing

Bearing is the root of this word. Carrying something that is heavy. Bear one another’s burdens. Not giving up on others when they should have been given up on.

Forgiving

Not only are you to forbear but we are to let it go. If you have a quarrel with someone, forgive them. Christ would go a step further and say that if you can’t forgive someone then God wouldn’t forgive you.

Let

Peace; Colossians 3:15 

Let the peace of God dwell in your heart. Why are so miserable, because you haven’t let God dwell in your heart. It doesn’t need anything from you other than to let it dwell in your heart. When it pertains to the peace of God you just have to let it happen. Just let it have its way in your heart. 

Word of Christ

Colossians 3:16

This is not about human ability. Just let the Word of God do what it does. It’s Spirit and Life and it does what it needs to do only if you let it. Let it rule in your heart. It’ll make you rich with knowledge and wisdom if you just let it be.

There are people that are probably a member of a church that are not members of THE church. In other words, there are people that think they are saved or simply are not saved that think that all they need is a church building membership and they are going to Heaven. These people can try everything and anything to live a Christian life but they will never be successful at doing so. A change must take place that a human can’t do. That change is salvation.

The last thing that he said to put on was Charity. God so loved the world. The final thing is love, Agape. It just ties it all together, not our love but His love. It covers ALL sins. It’s the bond of perfectness. How beautiful is a Christian in the eyes of another Christian? In Christ, we are the most precious thing.