It seems as though I am studying and writing about the same things day over day. God’s Glory provides for us. Where that is true, I am learning more and more each day. I am reminded daily of God’s Glory and all that comes with it. I am applying His Glory to each situation that comes up in my life and am able to overcome those based on what I have studied and learned. This morning is no different.
“4When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” – Colossians 3:4 (ESV)
God’s Glory is present in our life with Christ. We are blessed to have him there and leading the way for our movement forward. But, I can only experience His Glory when I have put away all that is against Him and all that does not bring Him glory.
“5Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming.” – Colossians 3:5-6 (ESV)
This world is full of things that go against that which is God. These things get in the way of our experiencing God’s Glory. And it does not stop with just those that are in the above verse.
“8But now you must put them away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” – Colossians 3:8 (ESV)
You see, there are so many thing in our lives that get in the way of our experiencing all of God’s Glory. We have those things that need to be overcome for our ability to see and take advantage of the Glory of God in our lives and the lives of those around us. It is important for us to remove all of those things as they are from our past and are our old selves to that they can be replaced by our future, new self.
“9Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” – Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV)
All that was me yesterday has to be put off to make way for all that is me today as provided by God and His glory. I have to replace all that old with the new.
“12Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” – Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV)
The new self is not an easy thing to put on and adhere to. And it is something that we must work at, but when we do, we are able to experience fully the Glory of God in our lives. More importantly, we are able to be the example of Christ and God’s Glory to those that are around us. We become the extension of God’s Glory in the lives of others that they may also see the old self and desire to put it off and put on the new self and fully experience God’s Glory themselves.
Where are you looking for glory as you move through this world? Are you seeking it in the things that are a part of the old self? What if you were to put on the new self according to the riches provided by God, where would you find yourself then?
Trevor's Thoughts 