Colossians 3:10-11; Romans 7:14-25 – True Knowledge
Although the Christian has ‘put on the new self’ when he was converted, the ‘old self’ is still with him Rom.7:14 – 25, and so this new life within him needs to be constantly renewed. This is the ongoing work of sanctification in the life of the Christian.
There are many aspects of the work of sanctification, but Paul sums them up in this passage by saying that the renewal that takes place is ‘to a true knowledge’ according to God’s image. The Colossian heretics were insisting that believers needed some kind of mystical knowledge obtained through secret passwords and rituals, but Paul demonstrates that the knowledge that pleases God is one that enables the Christian to be more conformed to the image of Christ. This kind of knowledge comes through a constant study of the revelation that God has given to man in the Holy Scriptures, and a firm desire that with the help of the Holy Spirit, the teaching of the Word will be put into practice in the life. The object is that Christ will increasingly be formed in the life of the believer.
As the child of God sees himself becoming more and more like Jesus, he will realise that all the barriers of religion, race, culture and society, that are so important to the men of the world, have absolutely no place in his life. The Lord Jesus Christ gave his life for rich and poor, slave and free, educated and illiterate and all who are His people are brothers and sisters adopted into the family of God.
Christ as the all-sufficient Saviour and Lord is all that matters, and his Spirit indwelling all believers, no matter what their race or culture, is renewing his people in true knowledge ‘according to the image of the one who created them’.
Questions
- Where do we find knowledge to help us be like Christ?
Prayer Points
- Pray that you would put God’s Word into practice in your life.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.