God’s Work In You

[netchaplain]

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man; ye have put off the old man” (Eph 4:22; Col 3:9). What exactly is “putting off the old man”? It’s not sending it away, for it remains constant with us. To put off someone means not to attend to what they are saying, like putting off someone who desires your attention or wants you to do something for them. We are hearing the old man’s demands, but that’s all. We are not conceiving what it dictates, nor acting upon it in any way; we are just hearing it, and that’s all!

Surely it’s worth dealing with the sin nature (old man) in the proper and godly way Scripture instructs. God desire that we continue with the old man is for our continued learning (everything believers encounter is just for learning and nothing else). There is nothing more challenging to the saint than the sin nature (closest enemy), which ever attempts to trip us up, and delay our growth in the Lord Jesus (Eph 4:15). But God will not allow it to overtake you, for He has promised that “sin shall not have dominion over you” (Rom 6:14). What is sin’s dominion? It’s the ability is has to cause you to desire sin, which is countered by God’s “work in you.”

Christians have the Life of the Lord Jesus in them by the Spirit. It’s not the Life of the Spirit that He works in us but the Life of the Lord Jesus (Col 3:4); and it’s the power of the Spirit that works all this into place! Thus, it’s by the Spirit using the Life of Jesus in us that we can be a godly people, and children of the Father. Just as He will always be His Son, so shall we ever be the Father’s children!

It’s my strong suspicion that the devil uses the old man as a door when He temp us, and that the Holy Spirit uses the new man (nature from Christ - Col 3:10) to guide and enable us; but our heart’s treasure is God, thus nothing can really sway us in any direction (Mat 6:21). No matter how often we are approached by the enemy (self, Satan and society), God does not allow ultimately anything but what our treasure provides—encouragement away from sin’s opposition.

We hear the old man; we see the devil and we interact with others in a godly manner—but ultimately we always choose “to will and to do of His good pleasure,” for it is the Father Himself that “works” this “in you” (Phl 2:13).
NC

 

[2nd Timothy Group]

It’s not sending it away, for it remains constant with us.

How do you feel about Colossians 2:11 and 13?

Colossians 2:11, 13 NLT - "When you came to Christ, you were "circumcised," but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision--the cutting away of your sinful nature." ... 13 "You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins."

The Circumcision of Christ is the complete removal of the Adamic Curse that associates itself with our spirit/heart. The idea is that once a man is physically circumcised, there is no turning back, for that "flesh" was done away with. It is gone, and this renders victory according to Colossians 9:15.

Colossians 2:15 NLT - "In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross."

Colossians 2:9-15 is the very "heart" of the Gospel . . . and yes, the pun is intended by God Himself.

 

[netchaplain]

How do you feel about Colossians 2:11 and 13?

Colossians 2:11, 13 NLT - "When you came to Christ, you were "circumcised," but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision--the cutting away of your sinful nature." ... 13 "You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins."

The Circumcision of Christ is the complete removal of the Adamic Curse that associates itself with our spirit/heart. The idea is that once a man is physically circumcised, there is no turning back, for that "flesh" was done away with. It is gone, and this renders victory according to Colossians 9:15.

I like your comment here, but you need to look again at what you wanted to share, because Colossians only goes to chapter 4.

 

[2nd Timothy Group]

I like your comment here, but you need to look again at what you wanted to share, because Colossians only goes to chapter 4.

Lol, and yikes! Instead of Colossians 9:15, it should have read as Colossians 2:15. I think that I've written 2:9-15 maybe 5,000 times . . . the number roll of my fingers. :D

Do these passages influence your line of thinking regarding the Gospel? Do you feel that Colossians 2:9-15 was included in the material that Philip discussed with the Eunuch?

Ahhhh . . . the "Mysterious Plan of God" as Paul put it. It is so incredible.

 

[netchaplain]

Lol, and yikes! Instead of Colossians 9:15, it should have read as Colossians 2:15. I think that I've written 2:9-15 maybe 5,000 times . . . the number roll of my fingers. :biggrin

Do these passages influence your line of thinking regarding the Gospel? Do you feel that Colossians 2:9-15 was included in the material that Philip discussed with the Eunuch?

Roger that! Made the same mistake myself. Concerning the Gospel, it's pretty basic for the simplest mind. Believe in Christ only for salvation! There may be some who may not understand completely Col 2:9-15, but that wouldn't affect their salvation.

 

[2nd Timothy Group]

Believe in Christ only for salvation!

So that's the Gospel? I could knock on someone's door and say, "Believe in Christ only for Salvation," and that alone could save them? Nothing else needs to be said? A person could say those six words to a person, walk away, and that would be enough to save them?

 

[netchaplain]

So that's the Gospel? I could knock on someone's door and say, "Believe in Christ only for Salvation," and that alone could save them? Nothing else needs to be said? A person could say those six words to a person, walk away, and that would be enough to save them?

If they believe in Christ's expiation for their sin, they would be saved, and God would be "working" (Phl 2:13). It's the way we live that shows who we are; and "all that pertains to life and godliness" is eventually seen in our walk.

 

[2nd Timothy Group]

If they believe in Christ's expiation for their sin, they would be saved, and God would be "working" (Phl 2:13). It's the way we live that shows who we are; and "all that pertains to life and godliness" is eventually seen in our walk.

I still feel that we're falling short here. I would say that if a person agrees that their lives will be changed should they exercise that belief in Christ, then, perhaps, they might be saved. You see, it is unfair to NOT tell a person that the Gospel of Christ is Effectual. We are changed from within to without, and if a person doesn't want to give up their sexual prowess; or if they don't want to give up their sinful, aggressive ways . . . it doesn't matter what they believe. What matters is this: Have we explained the Gospel in a way that a person intellectually might understand?

Perhaps it is difficult to explain the Gospel . . . I get that, as, at age 55, I've had MAYBE two people ever try to share the actual Gospel with me. That's PATHETIC. But this doesn't change the fact that we need to realize the Gospel is a lengthy story to tell, which is why Phillip had to enter the Eunuch's chariot, as the story would take some time to tell. If the Gospel were as simple as, "It's the Good News of Jesus Christ!" then Phillip would not need to enter that chariot.

I would venture to say that when "christians" actually get this Story of God figured out, perhaps "they" might start sharing the Gospel. Wouldn't that be something . . . "christians" actually sharing the Gospel? What a unique idea.