“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (Colossians 3:9-10).
When we believe in Christ our entire nature is changed. We are no longer the old self but have put on the new self. There are two key words in this Scripture that helped me understand the Christian life. The “new self” uses the Greek word “neos.” That word means that something is new in the sense of never existing before. When we are born again we are that changed! We start a life that didn’t exist a moment before we believed.
Yet, we still face battles and struggle with old issues. How can that be? The second key word is “renewed.” It is the translation of a Greek word, “kainos.” It means new in the sense of improved in quality. When we receive Christ we are “neos.” A new life begins that didn’t exist before. Our spiritual journey is started. From that point on we are continually “renewed” and improved. That is the growth process that takes place. “Neos” happens in a moment. “Kainos” lasts a lifetime.
For those of us who have believed and begun this spiritual journey we welcome the lifelong renewal that continually improves us and makes us better. The longer we walk with Jesus the more we know Him and the more we reflect His image. Don’t be surprised that it takes time to grow. That’s how this Christian life works.
