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A NEW SELF: FREE FOR THE FUTURE (COLOSSIANS 3:1-4)

REFLECTION

“A new self: free for the future” is the theme for our reflection. A new self means to be born again, to experience regeneration or a new nature and identity. To be Free for the future means to be saved in Christ and be assured of the Kingdom of God. We shall reflect on the fact that to experience a new self that renders us free for the future, we need to live in Christ.

Beloved in the Lord, we can not experience a new self that renders us free for the future if we have not had a transformative encounter or relationship with Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour through faith. It is for this reason Paul wrote to the church of Colossae,” Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:1-2) In other words, since we have acquired or attained a new identity or nature in Christ through His resurrection power, we must live a heaven-conscious or heaven-focused life. Jesus assured us that when we live a heaven-conscious and focused life by “… seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,… all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33). A person who has attained a new self in Christ will always live a life that pleases God through prayer, faith and consistent obedience to the teachings of Scripture. “Indeed, “… if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ ” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18″

Dear friend, after we have experienced a new nature or self in Christ we can not continue to put our hope in the wealth or material possessions of this world but rather live a life that demonstrates our hope for future freedom and eternal glory in Jesus Christ. For this purpose, Paul reminds us again through his letter to the Colossians, “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:3-4) In other words, for the fact that our new self or nature is connected to Christ, we shall experience the free future and the heavenly glory with Him. We are further assured that “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:16-17)

In summary, we have been reminded that we need to live in Christ to experience a new self that renders us free for future glory. Shalom.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit sustain our new selves in Christ Jesus to experience the freedom and glory of the future. Amen.