Wednesday, December 3, 2025
But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator. Colossians 3:8-10 CSB
Finding Thankfulness in Renewal
Monday we talked about Paul speaking to the Colossians, reminding them to be thankful of their new life in Christ and that their lives should look different because of their relationship with him. In today’s passage, Paul continues with the ways of the flesh, or “old man,” which we “put off” to “put on” our identity in Christ. When we “put off” these things, it means we put them away - out of our lives. We leave them behind to become the new and transformed person we are in Christ. These old habits and ways are no longer a part of who we are. Becoming a Christian means repentance of sin – turning away from sin and not allowing it to be a part of our lives.
Now we are being renewed in the knowledge of Christ in our new relationship with him. As we are being renewed we will still face temptations and trials. Renewal is not easy. Transformation is change from the inside out - becoming a whole new person. We may not feel thankful about it at times, but the goal - being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator... is worth every step along the way. As long as we live will always struggle against our old ways and our fleshly desires. But 2 Corinthians 4:16 tells us Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. We must be intentional about being renewed every day. Christ does the renewing but we do the work of making sure we are reading his word, fellowshipping and worshiping with other believers, praying and learning all we can.
Today remember how Christ is renewing us day by day, even though we struggle and fail at times. We do not give up. He never gives up on us. When we come back in repentance, he forgives us, and continues to renew us day by day. His forgiveness strengthens us and encourages us to continue to “put off” our fleshly ways and to continue to be renewed by him.
We can be thankful that we have been forgiven, redeemed, and are constantly being renewed by Christ as we walk with him, learning to live and love like him, and pointing others to him.
When was the last time you thanked God for saving you and renewing you day by day?
In this season, who can you love like Jesus and point them to him?
