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Scripture~Colossians 3.9-10 (CJB)
Never lie to one another; because you have stripped away the old self, with its ways,and have put on the new self, that is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator, and have put on the new self, which is continually being renewed in fuller and fuller knowledge, closer and closer to the image of its Creator.
Comments
Symbolism of taking off old clothes and putting on new clothes in the Colossians passage likely refers to early Church practice, when a person would put on new, white clothes after baptism. This implied new life in Christ and the Church by death to the old and rebirth to the new.
The taking off of the old self is a decisive turning point. Yet, this marks a beginning of unfolding implied by "continually being renewed in fuller and fuller knowledge," or in William Barclay's rendition "ever freshly renewed...." (Daily Study Bible. "The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians." Rev. Ed.)
The new self is a self of potential, not just of static being. This new self has in it potential to emerge, to flower, to keep becoming.
How does this becoming keep occurring? By "fuller and fuller knowledge." This knowing is not reason or logic.
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This knowing, in the Hebrew mind, is experiential knowing, is knowing-in-intimacy. We intimately-enjoy Wonderful Love by companionship, sharing, fellowship, participating within each other~the New Testament calls the shared-indwelling koinonia.
What is the new self growing into? The "Image of its Creator."
Imagine looking into your reflection off the water of a pond. Initially, you see a little, and dimly, Christ's Face within your appearance. You, having His seed in your heart, long to see more of Him in your face. You long for others to see more of Him in your face, also. So, you stay faithful to your spiritual devotion and works of goodwill for others. Over years, you keep returning to the pond, looking at the reflection. Each time you see more of Christ's Face replacing your face. This motivates you even more to faithfulness and relinquishing more of what might keep you from the formation of that Face in your face.
Suggested Reflection
Do you see yourself growing in Christ's image? What evidence do you see of that growth?
In what ways do you long to be more like Jesus?
What is the Holy Spirit's role in your growing into God's image?
See next page for Purpose of OneLife, reference to the writer's book, and matters pertaining to source material in this devotional.
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