New Nature vs. Old Man

⁸ But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?¹⁰ You observe days and months and seasons and years. ¹¹ I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.  Galatians 4:8-11

So with God we have been set free from our bondage to sin and false gods right? We no longer have to serve our selfish desires, our terrible old masters, the old man. We are free to be sons of God. To worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23) Yet, some how we foolishly trot back down the path to unrighteousness, our old ways. We choose to worship self-righteousness, pride, and sinful desires.

Why is this?

It's because it's easier. 

Why is it easier for us?
It's because the new man that God has called us to be is not an easy person to be. It goes against our nature as humans.  In Colossians 3:12-17 Paul tells us when the new mans' personality looks like.  Lets take a look at verse twelve.

¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

To me, this new personality is super hard. We must put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. I don't know about you but for me those aren't the easiest things to do. As humans we automatically are not these qualities.

We are not merciful. We are ruthless.


We are not kind. We are harsh.


We are not humble. We are vainglorious.


We are not meek. We are proud.


We are not patient. We are unforbearing.

God has called us to be things that it is in our nature to be the opposite. With out His help we can't do anything, especially what verses thirteen and fourteen say.

¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.¹⁴ But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

On top of being things we're not we're supposed to forgive and love. Ouch. The verse says what we must do. All these things we are not, we must be. How are we supposed to do that?

Here's the kicker, here's how we can be the things God has called us.  (This part makes me so excited.)

¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. ¹⁶Let 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.

In order to be what He wants us to we need to let the peace of God rule in our hearts, let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom, and praise Him. What this translates into is: praying to God, reading deeply in His word, and praising Him with all that you are.

¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Being a "Little Christ" doesn't come from being religious (going back to Galatians 4:10) it comes from a relationship with the Original.