How old are you?

Before you answer, you might want to consider this:

The trillions of cells in our bodies are constantly reproducing and replacing themselves. The skin on our bodies is replaced every five days. The skeletal system is new every three months. Ninety-eight percent of the total number of atoms in our body are replaced at the end of a seven-year period. So, in one sense, thanks to the amazing regenerative powers of our body, none of us are more than seven years old.

But the Bible offers us something even more amazing.

It's a renewal that goes far deeper than skin and bones.

It occurs only once but lasts for all of eternity.

And we read about it in 2 Corinthians 5:17-19.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation"

Where does this renewal take place?

As a "new creation" what is our relationship with God?

What is our new responsibility as a new creation?

When we receive Christ as our Saviour-

- the Holy Spirit baptizes (puts, places, immerses) us into the Body of Christ.1 Corinthians 12:13.

That's what it means to be "in Christ."

It is in Christ that we find safety from God's wrath that is poured out on sin and those who engage in it.John 3:36.

As a new creation we are to put off the old habits we formed when we were apart from God and put on new habits that are consistent with our new life.Ephesians 4:20-24.

Have you become a "new creation"?

If you have become a new creation-

- what habit or habits do you need to "put off" so that your life is more consistent with your status as a new creation?

Go to Colossians 3:8-10 and list the items that should be "put off."

Col 3:8KJV But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Col 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Then go to Colossians 3:12-17 and list the items to "put on."

Col 3:12KJV Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

NOW... Circle at least one item on each of these lists which you will seek to put off or put on.