Dress for Success
Senior Pastor David Rose unpacks Colossians 3:12-17 to explain what it means to “put on the new self” and put off the old. By trusting in Christ’s finished work on the cross, we receive a new identity untethered from worldly pressures and the opinions of others. In Him we find the comfort, strength and belonging for which our souls long.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus gives us new clothes (a new identity)
- Our new identity in Christ: chosen by God, made holy, dearly loved
- Characteristics of the new clothes: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience
- Jesus gives us a new community
- Jesus gives us a new compassion
- Jesus givesus a new conscience
- Jesus gives us a new commission
Further Study
- How does thinking of ourselves as God’s “chosen, holy and dearly loved” people (Colossians 3:12) impact our identity and strengthen our faith? How does this reality point back to our acceptance in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-6)?
- Spend a minute reading Philippians 2:5-8. Note how Christ so brilliantly displays compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
- Colossians 3:13 calls us to forgive one another. How does remembering that we have been fully forgiven through the cross motivate us to extend grace to others? (Colossians 2:13-14)
- What does it look like practically to “let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts” as individuals and as a church family? How does this peace surpass all understanding (Philippians 4:7)?
- Ultimately, what is the motivation behind “doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus” as commanded in verse 17? How does the Gospel empower us to live this out? (1 Corinthians 10:31)
The Gospel
If you have questions about what it means to be a Christian, we would love to talk with you about it.
Reach outPastor David talked about how Christ gives His people a new identity, new clothes to wear. Our old selves were sinful, selfish, and enslaved to this world. But through faith in Christ, we have been made holy, chosen and dearly loved by God. He frees us from our worries, fears and divisions by clothing us in His righteousness.
It is also through Christ that we receive a new community and purpose. As the Body of Christ, we are called to live in a unity defined by compassion, kindness, humility, forgiveness and love – qualities that can only come through Christ (Galatians 5:16-23).
Though as sinners we deserve judgement, Christ lived a perfect life and took on the punishment for our sins when He died on the cross. For everyone who turns from themselves and trusts solely in Christ’s finished work on the cross, there is new life.There is hope. There is peace.