Put Off the Old; Put On the New
Preacher: Marcia C. Wilkinson

Sunday, August 5, 2007

Colossians 3:5-17

For some people there is nothing like getting a whole new suit of clothing, especially when the old one is worn out, or you’ve had a change with a different career, or have lost some weight, or there is a special occasion to celebrate. Whatever the reason, new clothes, carefully selected, represent us and can put a spring in our steps.

Paul’s language in Colossians and elsewhere in his letters uses the baptismal language of being clothed--of being stripped of the old nature complete with old behaviors in order to put on the new man/woman, the new nature.  In the early church adult candidates for baptism would be stripped bare for immersion and after coming out of the water would be given a new white garment that signified what had just happened- a shedding of the old- death to the sinful self, and made clean and pure through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It was a dramatic moment that left an impression, on the baptized and community.

First century Baptism was different from the Jewish tradition which was a ceremonial cleansing to satisfy the law of ritual purity.  There was no thought in the OT and Judaism of death and being born again, and the Hebrew term for baptism did not signify sinking, drowning, or perishing.  So the new baptism was significant.  After 2-3 years of preparation and being shaped in the faith, converts publicly renounced their former life.  Paul’s teaching reminded church members that once they too were dead and living in ignorance.  It was paramount that if one was to live in the new nature; certain patterns of behavior must be taken off, “like a suit of clothing that is inappropriate for the new occasion” (NT Wright).

There are two main areas Paul addressed in the old lifestyle:  sex and speech.  Both can be used for powerful evil and good.  However, fornication and abusive sexual behaviors, sexual fantasies, sex outside of marriage–all for self gratification of the flesh must be put to death.   Paul was just as concerned with the sins of speech.  Gossip and slander, hurtful words, the telling of lies, all damage the one who says them, the one spoken to, and the ones spoken of.  In other words, the whole community is affected by words gone wrong in communal life.

Paul is telling the church in Colossae, and us today:  your lives used to be marked by these vices and sins.  But, God… in Jesus Christ has saved you.  You now identify with Christ, and in Christ you are being transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Just as you would discard old clothes that don’t fit, don’t hold on to old ways--get rid of them--anger, quick tempers, uncontrolled wrath and malice by the bully who attacks first and thinks later.  And, the unbridled tongue, slander, foul talk, lying--all of these pollute and give root to the passions and behaviors that harm and leave us vulnerable to more sin and more destruction.

I was reading a Washingtonian Magazine article last Sunday about an interview with 95 teens in the greater D.C. area.  One of the questions posed to them was about lying.  The response astounded me.  Teens lie regularly to their parents to cover up their activities.  I guessed that much.  But, they do so with such regularity that they don’t experience guilt and shame.  Lying has become an accepted behavior among teens to cover risky habits and behaviors.  They have created a separate sub culture with rules that do not invite parents, adults in.  Lying covers up the truth regarding damaging drugs and alcohol that desensitize and allow sexual and violent passions to be routine practices.  This is not only problematic for teens. It is also for adult behavior.  And, adults exacerbate the problem when they turn their heads and pretend it isn’t so bad.

As people of faith we should be very concerned about this.  We know that we live in two worlds:  one in which certain lifestyles within our culture have become normative.  They are acceptable to many but are ones our Lord would have us reject.  The other world is life lived in the Spirit of God in which we are intentional about saying no to passions of the flesh so that we can say yes to virtuous living that will bring others to know Christ.

There is always tension between the two worlds.  As long as we live in this world the old nature keeps persisting and haunting us.  Paul’s correction to put off the old sinful self is so strong because he knows how difficult life is for those who follow Christ.  Didn’t he complain about himself having to bear the thorn in his flesh?  Tension in living on both sides- yes:  acceptance to the old ways- definitely not!  Be the child of God he has made you through his Son and the price he paid to give you his new set of clothing.

We at ASC in the 21st century in D.C. must make choices between the old and the new nature.  There will be tugs and pulls on our consciences, on our beliefs.  So how then do we choose to live?  Remember where we were in the old life of sin.  Give thanks to God that by his grace he brought us to a new beginning.  Believe and expect God to help with the power of his own Spirit, his holy nudges.  And, if we are to be careful decision makers, we must be willing to make choices by thinking practically and spiritually rather than going with the flow and the norms that our troubled society sets before us.  When we spend time with God, when our minds are grasped by the truth of God’s Word, we deliberately place ourselves in the teachings of Jesus.  Then our hearts and behaviors can follow.  No evil action happens before it is an evil thought.

Paul has something very specific in mind in the text when he goes from the old to the new nature.  The new self is being renewed in the image of the creator.   “In the image of the creator” means to be a genuine human being, to be able to think clearly and have a deeper understanding of what is right in the eyes of God:  We are ”chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothed with Christ.”  The new nature carries the fruit of the spirit, God’s inner workings for our lives.  Nothing skimpy, shallow, deceptive, foul and ugly here.  Every last one of God’s gifts of compassion, kindness, humility, forgiveness is to bring us into a life worth living that is full of the ingredients God wants us to have.  Easier said then done. Life in Christ is not easy!  Serious prayer, strong moral willpower, making difficult decisions, and engaging in challenging activities/ministries make demands on us.

Some may think the fast, free and easy life is more gratifying, more fun.  For awhile maybe, but the lifestyle eventually goes nowhere and disillusionment sets in.  Some faith communities, on the other hand, want to stamp out sexual sins in the old nature but do not live with the gifts of the spirit and practice compassion and kindness.  A church may be without obvious sexual sin but is full of gossip and slander.  They only exchange one evil for another.   All of these possibilities need to come under the new nature.

Christianity isn’t something we can wear on Sundays, and then conveniently take off for the work place or school.  We are called to be consistent.  I have heard stories from people in high profile jobs who say they have to turn the other way and let things pass that they don’t agree with, just to be accepting of people and to keep peace.  What if believers were to respond differently, kindly but with a word of encouragement that could make a difference?

I know parents who would much rather be friends with their kids because they don’t want to lose them.  Isn’t our first priority to be good parents who nurture children?  And, won’t we develop a relationship if we listen, teach and spend time, support and encourage them?

When people see us in action what do they see?  Do they see something different and ask us why?  Are we wearing Christ’s clothing with our friends, family with our colleagues?  Everywhere we go we are to be Christ to the other.  And, when we are, the compassionate, the gentler gifts of the Spirit will come through clear and bright.

We have been given new clothing to live our lives in Christ.  Do they present us well?  Do they put joy in our hearts and give a spring to our steps? I trust that is what we all desire and seek as the new man, the new woman.  Amen.