How long are ye slack?
Crucifixion of Former Self. The gospel of Christ requires radical changes. "For
if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put
to death the deeds of the body, you will live" (Romans 8:13). We're not
talking about Band- Aids here. Words such as put to death, mortify (KJV), crucify,
are intentionally shocking and refer to drastic measures. Paul had earlier said
that at baptism, our "old man" (former self) was crucified with Him
(6:6). What is raised from the watery grave of baptism is the new man who "should
walk in newness of life" (v. 4). Further:
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness,
passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these
things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you
yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to
put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your
mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his
deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to
the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised
nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and
in all (Colossians 3:5-11).
These and similar texts do not teach that the moment one is baptized into Christ
that all bad habits, thought patterns, speech and deeds are instantly and forever
changed into conformity to God's will. But the heart must be changed. With God's
help, every thought must be brought into captivity unto Christ (2 Corinthians
10:5). In every way we must be transformed (Romans 12:2), and conformed to the
image of Jesus (Romans 8:29). This is an ongoing process. This is what it means
to "learn Christ" (Ephesians 4:20):
...if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is
in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which
grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit
of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to
God, in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:21-24).
How long are ye slack?
Pressing Toward the Goal of our Upward Call. Notice the "balance"
in these texts mentioned above. Under consideration is not merely the eradication
of that which is sinful, but being filled with Christ; with "… whatever
things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever
things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report…"
(Philippians 4:8). Paul said of himself:
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that
I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren,
I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 3:12-14)
There can be no doubt that Paul made a "good start" when he was converted;
this was certainly true of the Philippians as well. But the question is, what
now? God's people must be defined by "reaching forward" and "pressing
toward the goal."
Conclusion. Israel's self-satisfaction with the initial conquest, and delay
in follow-through did not make their task easier; it made it more difficult.
If you are a Christian, postponement and suspension of God's plan for "disciples
indeed" (John 8:31) will not make progress and development easier. Truly,
there's danger and death in delay. How much irreplaceable time has been lost
already? How long are ye slack?
By Leon Mauldin
Return to the General Articles page
Home / Bible studies / Bible Survey / Special Studies / General Articles / Non-Bible Articles / Sermons / Sermon Outlines / Links / Questions and Answers / What Saith The Scriptures /Daily Devotional / Correspondence Courses / What is the Church of Christ / Book: Christian Growth / Website Policy / E-mail / About Me /