Put Off The Old Man, And Put On The New Man

Colossians 3:9-13, “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

I love the Epistle of Colossians, which is a delicious Smorgasbord of doctrine. The Bible teaches about the “old man” versus the “new man.” Our text passage speaks of putting off the old man, and putting on the new man, as we would take off an old coat, and put on a new coat. In fact, the Greek word in Colossians 3:12 for “put on” is enduo (meaning: “to invest with clothing”). Removing an old coat and putting on a new coat is a CHOICE. Colossians 2:6, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” 

This passage of Scripture refutes the heresy of Lordship Salvation. We are saved by “receiving” Christ. Therefore, “ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3b). As believers we ought to “walk” in Christ. Galatians 5:25, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” To “live” in the Spirit means that we are saved, indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9); but to “walk” in the Spirit means that we live for Christ. It is possible to live in the Spirit, but not walk in the Spirit! The words “let us” plainly indicate that walking in the Spirit is an option, not mandatory. If discipleship was automatic, as Calvinists errantly teach, then the Bible wouldn't continually encourage us to live for Jesus. The fact that we are repeatedly taught to walk in the Spirit, is Biblical proof that salvation does not require surrendering to Christ's Lordship.

If you are saved, Jesus is your Lord. Colossians 4:1, “Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” The day you got saved Jesus became your Lord. The Bible commands every believer to walk in Christ (Lordship), now that we have received Him as our Savior. These are two separate decisions. The deadly error of the Lordship Salvation camp is that they combine these two things, and in so doing pervert the grace of God. Jesus did not save you just so you could have fire insurance, He saved you to turn you from your sins, that you would live for Him; but you don't have to turn from your sins to be saved, which would be works! 

You don't turn from your sins to be saved, you turn to Jesus by faith, and then He turns you from your sins. That is why we are taught in Colossians 3:12: “Put on therefore, as the elect [saved] of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” This is the blessed fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25). So put off the OLD MAN dear saint! 2nd Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” Again, we see that the Bible is exhorting the saints to depart from iniquity and live for Christ! 

I receive many emails from web visitors who say they are slaves to sin, unable to overcome their addictions. That tells me one of two things: 1) They are not saved; 2) They choose not to put off the old man and put on the new man. It's that simple! We only sin because we choose to sin! Sin is a choice. No one is born homosexual, it is a choice to live in sin. We either choose to reject Christ, or we choose to receive Jesus as our Savior, and we are saved. Then as the elect (chosen of God because we first chose Christ), we choose either to put off the old man and put on the new, or we choose to walk in the flesh (which brings the chastisement of our heavenly Father - Hebrews 12:6-8).