![[Photo of a Scripture verse]](https://www.deankwilson.com/Blog_images/Colossians_3_9-10.jpg)
| “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” |
| —Colossians 3:9-10 |
Have you noticed that certain activities we do require us to repeat them over and over again? If you are someone who takes a great deal of pride in the state of your vehicle—so that you wash it frequently, wax it quite often, vacuum out the inside, and make certain it receives all of the service listed in the manual that resides in the glove compartment—you know you must repeat these tasks many times in the course of a year.
The work of God that moves believers along the pathway of spiritual formation that will lead to holiness is also something that is best seen as an on-going process. Theologians call that process “sanctification.” This word means “to make holy.” So, believers are moving forward along this pathway of sanctification on a continuing basis.
This is exactly what the Apostle Paul was trying to convey when he wrote these words found in Colossians 3:9-10:
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
In this case, the declaration, “Do not lie to each other” means, “Don’t try to pretend who you are.” Don’t act one way when you are with your fellow believers and another way when you are out in the world.
Paul urges the people in the church at Colossae to be who they have now become by embracing the reality that God has given them a new self that is continually being renewed. The construction of the word in the New Testament Greek language that is translated “renew” indicates an action that takes place over and over and over again.
As we begin a new day, let’s ask God to help us be who we really are. He has made us new and is continually renewing us, as we move toward holiness. We should feel very grateful for God’s love and care. We should celebrate, in all humility, the pathway He has placed us on for the sake of His Kingdom and His great name.
