Renewed In the Image of the Creator
“5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Today's passage speaks about the practical application of Christian life. Greed is not merely a strong desire but is, in essence, idolatry. It leads to anger, malice, slander, and impure speech. In Genesis, Adam and Eve’s desire for the forbidden fruit was ultimately a form of self-idolatry—placing themselves above God. Greed distorts our lives, fuels an unquenchable thirst for more, and ultimately distances us from God.
To break free from this cycle, we must put on the new self. Paul exhorts believers to be “renewed in knowledge in the image of their Creator.” The restoration of God’s image is at the heart of salvation. This renewal is not just about behavioral changes but a transformation of values and worldview. Our perspectives, shaped since childhood, can be renewed by the gospel so that we increasingly reflect God's image under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience are not simply moral virtues but the natural outflow of a life governed by God’s Spirit. Faith is about fixing our eyes on God, but its fruit is revealed in how we relate to others. When Christ's word dwells richly within us, gratitude and praise overflow from our lives. True transformation is not a result of sheer willpower but the work of the Holy Spirit within us. May we live lives that reflect God’s image, offering praise and thanksgiving to Him.
Prayer: Lord, we praise You for granting us a new day and life in Christ. Thank You for filling us with the life of Jesus so that we may grow in His likeness. Holy Spirit, come and clothe us with the new self. Help us overcome greed and prevent it from taking root in our hearts. May Your Spirit govern us so that faith, peace, love, gratitude, patience, and forgiveness abound in our lives and our church. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)