The New You sermon series has explored a group of Jesus-followers in Colossae beginning to embrace their new identity in Jesus. Paul writes, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1.13-14).
Incredibly, Jesus transforms our corrupt hearts with destructive habits into teachable hearts receptive to new habits which honor our Lord. These relationship-destroying habits must die to be replaced with new relationship-building habits. While this is our new identity, we face the danger of trying to earn or behave our way into it.
This past weekend, we celebrated communion together. Communion is a symbolic act of worship that reminds us we cannot behave or earn our way into good standing with God. Someone had to die for us and it was Jesus. The bread reminds us his body was broken for us and the cup reminds us his blood was spilled for the forgiveness of our sins. It is Jesus alone who creates our new hearts, new identities, and forges within us a desire to put to death our old habits to put on the new ones that bring life to us and those around us.
Today, write a prayer of gratitude for the new life and identity that Jesus has provided for you. Thank him for his voluntary sacrifice on your behalf and the enormous love he has shown by dying on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins.
