Tag: colossians 3

All New

Iris Godfrey

A New Creation – thoughts on 2 Corinthians 5:17.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” NKJV

This verse is the theme of our “New Creation Covenant” course on Tuesday evening in the Institute. Also I preached this morning at my church (New Heart Ministries) using this as my main scripture. So it is presently very much in my thoughts.

I think every Christian would say they believe this verse, but I know I have lived much of my life, as a believer, never really grasping the consequences of this verse being true. The word translated “created” is translated well. It is a word used for construction projects when it is built new from the ground up. So we are an entirely new creation. The word also means that we are the original formation. So it takes us back in spiritual DNA form to the New Adam – Christ Jesus our Lord.

Many, including me, have often taught that all that is true of our inner man or “spirit” which was completely made new. However, we must then learn how to manage our old man of flesh because that was not made new. Colossians 2:11 clearly states “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ.” That old man was a part of the “foreskin” of our heart that was circumcised at our new birth in Him. So that is no longer a part of us.

So truly all things are new! The word “all” is not technically in the Greek text that I am using, but it is inferred in the other words. So using “all” in English, translates the passage properly. All really does say it well.

This is a re-adjusting of our thinking in this passage. He really did make all things new. Now to embrace that new identity in our Lord and begin to embrace the fullness of His work that has brought us into His family.

Lord, thank you!

Set Your Mind

Iris Godfrey

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above,where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.”Colossians 3:1-2 NASB

  The passage quoted above is known to all of us. Yet, its practicality is often set aside and we think “maybe someday – when I am old and almost dead.” Now that I am old (in the mind of common man – not in the Lord’s mind) I am aware that the passage is what the Lord is empowering now. Notice what we are to seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. It is the call to our hearts. He lives in us, we live in Him. He so longs for us to “see” from within His heart. When we begin to trust Him, we can begin to see in Spirit what He sees. We then have something to think about that is not on the earth. We normally spend all our time thinking and praying about matters here.

The word in the Greek used for “mind” here is the word that means “to have understanding, to think, adopt, view, attitude, intent on, purpose, live in harmony, mind, observes, set their minds, set your mind, setting your mind, think and view.” WOW. That means I am commanded (if you will) to understand what He sees. Now this takes time and faith to enter into its reality. If it was not commanded, then it would be impossible. But since it is not just a suggestion but a command, it is therefore automatically empowered. We just have not been doing it (I speak generally and personally). I have recently been “seeing” in a way that is amazing and so encouraging. I am drawn to this reality by through the Word and my union with my Savior. As my closest friend and lover of my soul, He longs to show me His world. I am learning to “see” what He is wanting to show me. It is a bit awesome to me, but it has been there in Scripture all along. 

Needless to say, this adds an entirely new dimension to talking with Him and even in intercession in general. He literally “reads” my heart and relieves me of its burden. He assures me of His care and answer so deeply that I am amazed. So there is no new “secret” here. It is simply the Word, believed and put into action. Such “sight” will empower a kind of thinking that is freeing and faith-filled. This is what He longs for us to see and understand. We do have the mind of Christ. I am really enjoying these discoveries. He is awesome in every beloved way. Thank you, Lord Jesus!