The Promise of Hope From Two Tombs

 Tuesday, March 31, 2026

So the sisters sent a message to him: “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. Then after that, he said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.” John 11:3-7

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.; …he shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out bound hand and foot with linen strips and with his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and let him go.” Therefore, many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what he did believed in him. John 11:17; 43-45

The Promise of Hope From Two Tombs
We are currently in a short Easter series called Risen, through which we will discover how the cross, burial, and resurrection of Jesus have changed history and can change our lives forever. Our key truth is Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the tomb provide hope and life to all who believe. In Sunday’s message Pastor Jim talked about two tombs – the tomb of Lazarus and the tomb of Jesus. What is the significance of the two tombs and how do they speak to the promise of hope? 

Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus were close friends of Jesus.  He spent time at their house regularly and when Lazarus became seriously ill, they did what we all would do – sent word to their good friend.  Jesus wasn’t just a good friend, He was their savior too, and they had seen Him heal people and perform miracles. Verse 17 of chapter 11 says When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.  He found Mary and Martha mourning, and they told Him that He was too late. They told him if he had been there sooner Lazarus would not have died.  Jesus told Martha that her brother would rise again, and she replied that she knew he would rise again in the resurrection on the last day. Jesus told her I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? She said to him, Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.  (v25-27) Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead that day.  Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” (v40)

Mary and Martha were frustrated and upset that Jesus didn’t come sooner but Jesus wasn’t careless or unfeeling. He had a reason for coming when he did. The people that were there and saw Jesus bring Lazarus back to life, witnessed Jesus giving one man his life back. They didn’t understand that day that they were witnessing a preview of Jesus would soon do in his own life, but they did see the glory of God displayed and they believed. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and freed him from his grave clothes. He told the people to unbind him. In the same way, Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection gives new life and forgiveness to all who will believe and reconciles us to God. As Lazarus was unbound from his grave clothes, we are freed from the bondage of our sin. Jesus raises us from the dead and breaks the bondage of sin that wraps us up from head to toe.

To most of us a tomb represents the end. Finality. Death. In Jesus we see that the tomb and death have no power over him. He has ultimate power over both the tomb and death. The two tombs speak to the promise of hope because Jesus’ death burial and resurrection saves all who will believe from the death, grave (separation from God), and the bondage of sin. We are saved from sin, death and the grave, and we are saved toforgiveness, new life, and eternity in heaven with him. We can have hope because we know the grave is not the end for us. 

Are you still dead in your sin - in the grave and separated from God? Surrender as he calls you out of the grave, so that you are freed from the bondage of sin and forgiven in new life in him. 

Risen “The Tale of Two Tombs”

 

Risen
“The Tale of Two Tombs”

John 11:1-20, 28-44; 20:1-18 (CSB)

 

-     Key Truth: “Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection provide hope and life for all who will believe.”

Main Question: What is the significance of the two tombs and how do they speak to the promise of hope? 

1.        The two tombs illustrate the reality of death. 
(vs. 11:1-7, 28-32; 20:1-10) 

2.        The two tombs produce in Jesus both anger and action. 
(vs. 11:38; 20:12-16)

3.        The two tombs demonstrate God’s power to give new life.
(vs. 11:39-44; 20:17-18)

After the Message: 
 Read John 11:1-20, 28-44; 20:1-18. How has death affected your life? What has been your response? How does Jesus’ confrontations with death give you hope? How can the hope that Jesus gives change the way we live in the present?

The Unbinding

 Friday, March 27, 2026

Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him… John 11:43-45

The Unbinding

Jesus came late – or at least it looked late to everyone else. Lazarus was sick and his sisters, Mary and Martha, sent word to Jesus to come. Jesus did not come immediately and when he got there, Lazarus had already passed away, and they were overcome with sorrow. Jesus grieved with them as well and then He said three words… Lazarus come out. With these three words, Lazarus came out of his tomb with his hands, feet, and face all still bound with linen strips. 

Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

This whole scene was for God’s glory so those who saw would know who Jesus was and would believe in Him - Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him. Many of those who witnessed this miracle then knew who Jesus truly was and believed in Him. 

Jesus did two very important things in this account. 

·   First, Jesus ordered Lazarus to come out.  With just three words he brought him back to life. “Lazarus, come out.”  That is how simple it was for this miracle to be performed – for lives to be transformed. He has the power to transform any situation in our lives too. We just have to trust Him – that He is who He says He is. 

·   The second thing He did is to command them to unbind Lazarus. This act is a beautiful reminder to us that tells us that Jesus wants those who believe in him to participate in this miracle of loosening people from all that limits them from an abundant life.

We are called to be a part of this work and take the time to help those who can’t seem to get free from the grave clothes they may still be wearing because no one else has taken the time.

What is it that is binding you today? What has a hold on you? This picture of Jesus telling the people to unbind Lazarus is a beautiful picture of what Jesus does for us. He unbinds us and frees us from all that binds us. He calls us out of the death of sin. When we are sinners we are bound in our graves that we have dug ourselves. But His death on the cross freed us from our own death. Sin binds us and Jesus calls us out of this death and into life and unbinds us. He is calling you out. Move the stone. Unwrap the sin that binds you and be free.

Three Women

  Thursday, March 26, 2026

Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome.  In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there. Mark 15:40-42

 

Three Women 

When a Christian passes from this life into the arms of God it is the most sacred of moments. To be present with a loved one or dear friend when they pass is an honor. Sadly, the King of Kings had no quiet peaceful moment of passing surrounded by family and close friends. Most of the people in attendance were only there to make fun of Him and watch with shameful excitement. Few realized exactly what they were witnessing. 

 

When Jesus was crucified, Mark chapter 15 tells us that there were three women looking on from a distance. These were not just random women who showed up to watch a crucifixion. These were women who loved Jesus. These were women who ministered to the Minister. These were women who invested in Jesus’ ministry, financially and as a support, because they believed Him. These were women who were a part of His life, and they wanted to be with Him to the end.

 

Mary Magdalene had been saved by Jesus. She had been demon possessed and Jesus freed her and gave her a new life. After He healed her, she followed Him. She is proof to us that no one is ever too far gone or too entangled in sin to be disqualified from salvation. He transformed her and she had a close personal relationship with her Savior, even with her past. The same is true for us.

 

The other Mary was the mother of one of the disciples, James. I am sure her son was excited about what was happening in his life since he had chosen to follow Jesus. I am sure she was eager to meet her son’s new friend and she loved Him and supported Him and His ministry, of  which her son was a part. Mothers everywhere can understand loving your kid’s friends like they were your own. I am sure Mary was thankful for what Jesus did in her son’s life and hers and wanted the rest of the world to know her Jesus. 

 

The third woman was Salome. Salome was the mother of James and John and wife of Zebedee. She was one of the women who followed Jesus throughout His ministry.

 

These three women watched from a distance as Jesus was tortured and crucified, standing with Him in life and death. They stayed through the hardest parts when others turned away. These same women came to the tomb on the third day after that, bringing spices to anoint Him. They were met by the angel, who told them that Jesus was risen, they ran to tell the disciples the good news (Mark 16:1-8) They came to anoint a dead man and instead found the hope and glory of the empty tomb! What they had witnessed three days before was resurrected in new life, and that resurrected life has resurrected our lives for His glory. 

Completed

 Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:2

 

Completed

For some people, finishing something is hard. Finishing a project, an assignment, or some daunting task we don’t want to do. We may start well, and with good intentions, but that is where is ends. We have good intentions, but they will not get the job done by themselves. 

We do the same thing in our walk with Jesus. We start a Bible study but do not finish. We start a ministry but never follow through. There are many things that causes Christians to fizzle out. 

• Time – We say we don’t have time for serving, or we don’t have time for a quiet time, but the real heart of the matter is that we have not made those things a priority in our lives. In different seasons we may not be able to serve, and that is understandable. But in every season of our lives, we need to make spending time with the Lord a top priority. If you have small children, it may be 10 minutes one day and 30 minutes the next. But we make time for what we place value on in our lives. Make it a priority to give Him some time every day. 
• We have been hurt – We have been hurt so we stay away from church. It is hard to go back to the places we were hurt, but our hurt feelings should not be more important than being in church and worshipping God. People should not be able to hurt our feelings enough to turn us away from God, because our allegiance is to Him, not them. That does not make it okay for us to hurt one another, but it is also not okay to make hurt feelings a reason to stop going to church and serving the Lord. 
•  We are not getting fed/not connected – Are you trying to get connected? Are you opening up your heart and mind so you can be fed? Or are you hung up on the choice of the songs for Sunday morning, or the lesson in Bible Study that you are not interested in? Is God trying to teach you something that you are not hearing? Step out of your comfort zone and make some new friends. Find a Bible study that looks interesting to you. We cannot be fed unless we open ourselves up to what God is telling us. 

We can make a lot of excuses to not follow through on commitments we make. What if Jesus had decided that He did not want to finish His work here on earth? Where would we be if He had decided that He didn’t want to shed His blood for us after all? What if He had backed out at the last minute? 

We would be lost with no hope of salvation and eternal life. But thank God Jesus did finish what He came to do. He endured the pain of the cross, while focusing on the future and a promise for all of salvation and eternal life. 

 “It is finished” - John 19:30

Jesus completed the work of salvation and eternal life of the cross. Three important things were finished on the cross:

• Finished and completed were the sufferings of Christ – He would never experience pain at the hand of wicked men, and He would never again have to bear the sins of the world. 
• Finished was Satan's stronghold on humanity – Jesus destroyed the power of death over all of humanity.
• Finished was the atonement for salvation – On the cross, Jesus took on our sin and exchanged them for life – eternal life in Him. 

God had this plan for you and me and Jesus completed it through His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. I am so thankful that Jesus completed His work here on earth for you and me. 

God's Love For Us

 Tuesday, March 24, 2026

…and he fell to the ground and                                                                                                                                                                                heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”  And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.” Acts 9:4-6

God's Love For Us

Hosea’s love for Gomer is a great example of God’s love for us.  God told Hosea to take a wife that is a Harlot – someone who would surely be unfaithful to him. Why would God actually tell someone to do that?  He did it to make an example for Israel and for all to see of His love and mercy for His children.  At the time, Israel had turned their backs on God and were engaging in all kinds of sin.  God wanted to get their attention.  Hosea would literally show Israel her sin by taking a prostitute for a wife, whom he would consistently show grace and mercy to, exactly as God showed Israel and as He shows us. 

Basic Truths about God’s Love

Who can explain love?  If love always made sense it would not be love. It does not always respond to logic.  The question of Hosea may not be why God would ask Hosea to marry Gomer, but why would God commit himself to a group of people he knew would not be faithful to him? It doesn’t make sense. 

Following God involves having a faith in Him such that you believe in 
advance what will only make sense in reverse. Philip Yancey

If God was going to make a commitment to a nation, why wouldn’t He choose a nation He knew would be faithful?  Why wouldn’t He select those who would be inclined to follow His laws and appreciate the wisdom of His ways?

According to our way of thinking, God is unreasonable.  We would choose to love someone who loved us.  We would look for someone we thought would be faithful to us.  In our humanness, we have no room for someone who does not love us back, and especially no room for someone who is not loyal to us.  But God chooses whom He will choose.  Listen to this outrageous verse from the Bible that sounds unreasonable…If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.  2 Timothy 2:13 

When God enters into a covenant of love with us, the covenant does not depend on our faithfulness, but on the faithfulness of God.  We keep thinking that God only loves good people, but God loves sinners.  He pursues them like He asked Hosea to pursue Gomer.  He is betrayed but He longs for them.  When they become enslaved by their sins, He buys them back. 

The Bible describes our predicament: There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for god; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one.   Romans 3:10-12. But in spite of that, God did something completely irrational — He loved us and sought for a way to buy us out of our slavery to sin:… knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:18-19

Ian Pitt-Watson writes, "There is a natural, logical kind of loving that loves lovely things and lovely people. That’s logical. But there is another kind of loving that doesn’t look for value in what it loves, but that creates value in what it loves.”

How The Cross Changes Everything

Monday, March 23, 2026

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. John 19:25-27 CSB

 

How The Cross Changes Everything

Sunday Pastor Jim began a short Easter series called Risen, through which we will discover how the cross, burial, and resurrection of Jesus have changed history and can change our lives forever. Our key truth is Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the tomb provide hope and life to all who believe. In this first message Pastor Jim spoke about three people who were at the cross the day Jesus was crucified. They wept at his feet as he suffered and died, and the cross changed everything for them. 

 

The Cross is a Place of Redemption – Mary Magdalene

Mary was a woman who was possessed by demons before she met Jesus and was healed. Because of her past, she might be the least likely person you might expect to find at the foot of the cross, but the cross is a place of redemption for all – no matter your past. Jesus had already healed her, and she was living out the testimony of a changed life. Now she would personally witness the greatest sacrifice ever as Jesus gave his life to redeem us all and give us eternal life. 

 

The Cross is a Place of Relationship – Mary, Mother of Jesus

Jesus’ mother, Mary, was at the foot of the cross as her son’s life was sacrificed for the sins of the world. As Jesus saw her there, along with the disciple he loved, John, he made a provision for his mother through her relationship with John. He asked John to take care of his mother, and he did for the rest of her life. He provided for his mother when he knew that she couldn’t provide for herself. Just as he provided for his mother when she could not for herself, he provides for us by bringing us back into right relationship with God through redemption. We cannot do that for ourselves – only the shed blood of Jesus justifies us before God. Through him we are also brought into right relationships with others, and as believers through our relationship with Jesus Christ, we become members of a new family – the family of God. 

 

The Cross is a Place of Responsibility – John

Jesus gave John a responsibility to care for his mother in his absence. He asked John to take his place in caring for his mother just as he asks us to take his place and be his hands and feet in this world. We represent him and our lives are a living testimony of his redemption. Everything we say and do is to point others to him and glorify him. 

 

What does the cross mean and how does it change everything for us?

The cross changes everything for us because when we are saved, everything about us should change – our words, deeds, thoughts, and actions. We still fight the flesh but the cross provides a transformative relationship with God and brings us abundant life in him. Our whole lives revolve in and around him.  

Like it did that day for Mary Magdalene, Jesus’ mother, and John, the cross changes everything for us as well. It means redemption for us just as it did for a woman who used to be possessed by evil spirits. She was redeemed, healed, and with Jesus as he laid down his life for her to have eternal life. The cross means we are brought into a right relationship with God. We are justified and able to be in a relationship with him because of the atonement paid for on the cross by Jesus. The cross means responsibility for us just as it did for John that day. We are all to take Jesus’ place as his disciples - to go and make disciples and to show the world the love of Jesus. We have a responsibility as his disciples to carry on his work here on earth so everyone can know of his mercy, redemption, and love. 

 

When is the last time you thought about what God has done for you – both on the cross and in other areas of your life? 

Have you been to the foot of the cross, confessed, repented, believed, and received his gift of salvation and eternal life? If not, don’t wait another day. If you need to speak to someone about this please call the office of North Side Baptist Church and we will walk with you through a decision to follow Jesus.  

Risen “The Sacrifice of the Cross”

 

Risen
“The Sacrifice of the Cross"

John 19:25-27 (CSB)

 

-     Key Truth: “Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection provide hope and life for all who will believe.”

Main Question: What does the cross mean and how does it change everything for us? 

1.        The cross is a place of redemption. (vs. 25) 

2.        The cross is a place of relationship. (vs. 26-27a)

3.        The cross is a place of responsibility. (vs. 27b)

After the Message: 
Read John 19:1-42. What are some key elements of this story that you haven’t seen before? How does Jesus’ death on the cross change how you can relate to God and others? Give thanks to God for “his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15, CSB)

Gospel Worthy Conduct

  Thursday, March 19, 2026

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel...  Philippians 1:27 

Gospel Worthy Conduct

It has been said, "If it waddles like a duck, quacks like a duck, and swims like a duck it must be a duck." When others look at our life do they get the idea that we are Christians?  Does your lifestyle and habits make it obvious to those around you that Christ lives in your heart?  We often put high expectations on ourselves and other Christians as well.  We are human and imperfect and even though we are saved, we are still sinners.  It is a struggle and we will never be perfect, but as Christians we should strive to live a lifestyle that is different from the world.  

In Philippians 1:25-26 Paul speaks of his commitment to the Philippians and helping them in their spiritual walk: Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again..  He wanted spiritual life to be advancing and their joy to be abundant. He wanted to help them be all that they should be and should become as a Christians. He wanted them to grow up in their Christian life and go on in their Christian life.

Beginning in vs.27 (above) Paul speaks of living a life which is worthy of the Gospel. The Gospel is the most valuable thing we could ever have. Salvation and God's grace and mercy, along with eternal life is everything. Living a life that shows this to others is living a life worthy of the Gospel. 

Conduct Worthy of the Gospel - Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ...

Our manner of life that Paul speaks of is more than just our talk. It speaks of our walk. It speaks of our conduct and behavior. It is not what the Christian says, but how he is seen. Paul is saying that there is a certain conduct that is expected of those that are Christians.  

Notice the word "conduct." The word used is a political word. It is a word that is descriptive of a citizen. It was a word that the believers at Philippi would have quickly associated with and understood.  Philippi was a Roman colony. Roman colonies were little bits of Rome that were planted throughout the then known world.  In these colonies, the citizens acted as Romans.  They spoke the language of Rome, wore the dress of Rome, and handled all their affairs as Rome, even though were a long way from Rome.  Paul was saying to them, You know how citizens of Rome live and act like Rome. You are citizens of a heavenly world. You should live and act like citizens of that heavenly world.

Christians are in this world, but are not of this world. We are pilgrims passing through.  Our citizenship is in heaven, therefore the life that we live should be that of a citizen of heaven.  The Church is a colony of heaven on earth and we should live as citizens of that heavenly colony.  There is a standard by which we must measure our life, a heavenly standard.  We, as Christians, should strive to live up to that standard and our lives be a reflection of that standard.

We should live a life that is befitting and becoming of our name.  As Christians, we should live as Christians.  The world is very aware of all that is associated with that name and they will notice any discrepancies.  With your life, the way you live and handle things every day, the words you say and how you treat people, you are writing the gospel before the world’s eyes.  Will they see an example of the gospel in your conduct?

 Therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.   Ephesians 4:1-3

In Search of the Truth

 Wednesday, March 18, 2026

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.  Colossians 1:9-10

In Search of the Truth

Where can we find truth? Today especially, we don’t know who to believe. As Christians, we can know that God is truth and in Him, we can always find truth. Knowing God and who He is, is the place to start when we are in search of His truth.

Until we truly understand and know God, can we trust what He says about Himself, or the future - eternity, or about us? Learning who God is and reading in His word about how He has fulfilled every word He says about Himself and who He is and His promises, will be the foundation on which every other truth is built. 

When we study the truths of God, over and over, they will become engrained in our thinking, and in the choices we make, as well as reactions to the things that happen in our lives. When we are filled with the knowledge of his will and spiritual wisdom and understanding, then we will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord - a way fully pleasing to Him. When we walk in a way that is fully pleasing to Him, we will be filled with the knowledge of His will and understanding. It just keeps building on itself. 

As we gain this understanding of God and who He is, we will be deeply rooted in these truths When life gets crazy, or tragedy strikes, or we go through a tough season, we can recall these truths. Its so important to have these truths to cling to. We tend to turn to something or someone more tangible to make us feel better or fix things quickly. The quick fixes will never fix anything and often create bigger problems. And those “somethings” or “someones” that are supposed to make us feel better will not live up to our expectations. There is only one thing and one someone that is the true answer for every single thing in our lives. 

In the verses above, Paul was speaking to the Colossians. He knew that he needed to remind them that in order to stand firm and walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, they would need to trust what made them worthy in the first place! 

Also, we see fruit in our lives when we are living in God’s truth. …bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Not only will we bear fruit because of this truth, but we will continue to grow in His truth. This is not just knowledge for the sake of knowledge, but knowledge to live by. 

 

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Ephesians 4:14

Clean your Closet

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Clean your Closet – Colossians 3:5-15 Submitted by Kay Crumley

As I studied Colossians 3 over the last two weeks it occurred to me that these verses are a bit like cleaning out our closet, getting rid of those things we no longer need and replacing them with what is needed. Paul told his readers, in verses 1-4, that those who are in Christ have died to the old, sinful, nature and are now a new person in Christ. So, then, if the old person/nature has died we must ‘put to death’ the old behaviors. Sometimes when we clean out the closet, we put the discards in a pile but maybe let it set there for a time. That allows us to go back and pull out discarded garments. It was the most comfortable item we own even if it no longer ‘fits’ our new life we hate to give it away. 

Paul tells us to not just move it to another place in the house but put those old lifestyles to death. Put those ‘garments’ in the burn pile and burn them immediately. Some are sexual sins that need to be removed. Others center around greed. Our world is full of enticements for having the newest, the best, and the most popular. I must pause and ask myself if that is a need or a want. Greed leads to idolatry. We may argue that we aren’t guilty of idolatry since we don’t have physical figures that we worship sitting in our homes. But we must ask if there is something so important to us that I put it first, before God, if so, that is our idol. 

⁵ Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, God’s wrath is coming upon the disobedient ⁷ and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. ⁸ But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator. ¹¹ In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.

Secondly, in verse 8, Paul lists our attitude and speech as sinful characteristics of which must rid ourselves. We are to be truthful with one another as well as having a good attitude. Why? We have put on a new self, one that is like Christ. He doesn’t play favorites, so this applies to ALL those what are Christ followers.

Now that we have emptied our closets of those sinful ways, we may feel there is nothing that identifies us. However, we are not left without a closet full NEW characteristics we are to put on, a whole new wardrobe. 

We are chosen by Him, His dearly loved children! We clothe ourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, long suffering, forgiving spirit (don’t hold grudges). The reason is simple, we have been forgiven by our Lord and we must forgive others just as He did. Finally, we are to put on the most beautiful cape or overcoat over all that. Put on love. His kind of love produces unity and peace.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, ¹³ bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. ¹⁴ Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. 

We read in 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. It’s easier to forgive the one we love. As a body of believers, we are called to love deeply those who follow Christ. We are one family, adopted as sons and daughters. Only with love that creates unity will we live in the peace of Christ with all who are the body of Christ. Then we can genuinely be thankful for all His many blessings, His great mercy, and His unending love.

Let’s give the closets of our character a good cleaning and completely destroy the sinful behaviors and attitudes so they can be replaced with His character as we grow in the image of Christ.