Overcoming the old human nature

Pastor Alcenir
Portuguese Language Ministry at the First Presbyterian Church Richmond, CA
July 5th, 2009
Col 3:1-5 NIV

INTRODUCTION
In chapter one, Paul makes a follow up of the life of the church in Colossae, he
makes a review of the life of that church. Then, he makes a theological lecture about the
Supremacy of Christ pulling it down to practical life affirming that this supremacy comes
down to earthly things and reaches out for his main creation. Humanity was alienated
from God. Then, we are called for reconciliation.
In chapter two, he announces his concerns about the struggle of the church with
heretical philosophy of the time. The danger was the of the nature of Christ. He affirms
that “in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form”. Not only Christ is God
in human form, but also gives us fullness in Him.
The fullness, holiness, perfection which was the purpose of the creation, which
we lost in the fall, is given back by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
After dealing with the Gnostics, Paul turns to the Jewish members of the church
and says that the so highly praised earthly, human, bodily circumcision they resented not
to be practiced in the Church as the highest requirement of a submission to God, is
completely accomplished in Jesus Christ.
Here we are introduced to the main subject of the today’s meditation: “in him you
were also circumcised, in the PUTTING OFF OF THE SINFUL NATURE, not with a
circumcision made by hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ”.
He proceeds saying how it was accomplished: “having been buried with him in
baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him
from the dead”.
With this Paul is confronting the second greater theological conflict in the
Church. First was the nature of Christ and, second, the belief that we should do
something else other than believing to be saved. Not only by grace through, but also
through circumcision made by hand.
 After being through with these two main subjects, he keeps going to hit hard on
another matter that made his exhortation skills to show up: legalism.
We understand from this letter and from research that the Colossian Church was
composed in its majority of Jews. They used to argue about the practice of Jewish rituals,
celebration and the search for wholeness or fullness for life on earth.
He then affirms that Jesus nailed all those regulations to the cross, and he
triumphed over the authorities that preached it. They were based on human commands
and teachings and were destined to perish.
In Chapter 3 he states the real rules for a Holy Living.

We have been raised with Christ

Becoming a Christian is a process of full transformation. Jesus Christ called it “to

be born again”. If we are not born again, we can’t take part in the Kingdom of God.
Paul says that when we initiate this process we die with Christ and are raised with
Him. This means that are born with a complete new life, a new attitude, a godly lifestyle.
We now see the world and its earthly things from another perspective. We have other
perception. These earthly things, thou they are good for the eyes they are not convenient
for those who are in Christ. They don’t mean the same thing for us anymore. We start
seeing the world through the eyes of Christ.
We are initiated in the process of growth towards a perfected life that will be fully
accomplished at the return of Jesus, when he effectively is going to establish his
Kingdom.

The recurring old human nature

Paul now is concerned with how the church is dealing with those issues he
approached in the previous chapters.
Those are signs of a “recurring old human nature”.
What is this?
 By confessing Jesus Christ as our redeemer, he forgives all our sins. We are now
redeemed, brought back from under the domain of sin and the sinful nature. We have a
new spiritual life through Christ.
However, we are not yet freed from our human nature. This process will be
completed with the second coming of Christ.
We are forgiven, but the scars of sin are still in us. These scars are memories of
the past, the attraction we constantly have to earthly and sinful things for bodily
gratification, to satisfy our bodily needs or to fulfill our desires in worldly way.
This is our OLD HUMAN NATURE trying to get back the command of our lives.
That is when temptations show up. James 1:13-15 says that “… each one is
tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. The, after desire
has conceived, it gives birth to sin …”
We can imagine Paul crying out to the Colossians: I urge you to OVERCOME
THE OLD HUMAN NATURE!
How? …
This is the question Paul is answering.
He says:
• now that you are newborn in Christ,
• now that you died for the earthly things
• now that Jesus bought you
• now that you belong to the family of God, adopted in Jesus Christ
• now that you are a citizen of the Kingdom o Christ
• now that you have been raised with Christ from his death through the baptism
• Now that you are a new being …
• We would say … NOW WHAT?
• Now, aim at the things that are above;
• Now, direct your efforts in searching for the things above;
• Now, be always intending, planning and aspiring to get to the things above
He goes on saying THINK OF the things above, not the earthly things.
 WHY? Because your life is hidden with Christ in God. This is your spiritual life,
the eternal life, the life in the world to come.

How to overcome the old human nature

Therefore … as you understand who and what you are now …

Put to death … Paul urges us to overcome our old human nature, to get rid of it,
because now we have a new nature, the nature of Christ is to be seen through us
Paul tells us, addressing the Colossians, to look around and see what is being
obstacle for fullness in Christ.
What is it that is taking the place of Jesus in your life?
Your job, satisfaction of your human desire, rituals you think is going to lead you
to fullness, is it your weakness to face your desires …
He says “whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity,
lust, evil desires and greed”.
He adds in verse “anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language of you lips. In
verse nine he says “do not lie”, tell the truth to each other, avoid gossip …
The Apostle James 3:1-15 says that the use of the language reveals what we are.
This is one of the most evil things among Christian, because it can destroy lives. James
argues how we would use the language to praise the Lord and also curse the men.
This way we get rid of our old self …
Put on your new self which is being renewed in the image of its Creator.
The new born shall be dressed up with compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness, patience and forgiveness.
This is attitude. We can’t get it on our own. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in
us. But it is necessary to let Him work in us.

Conclusion
In our modern days it is very hard to keep our old nature under control. We are
constantly offered good things, but we are also offered a bunch of trash. However, good
or bad things are intended to satisfy our desires and our needs. They are big temptations.
If we are weak, we may fall to them.
What are the tools we need to overcome our old human nature? I would like to
point to four ways.

First – Work out your faith and avoid temptation

Temptations are traps. Traps are not notice. When we realize, it has already
caught us. If we know where it is and avoid it, the damage won’t happen. By practicing
our faith, searching for the things above as Paul says, we’ll always be aware of what and
where the temptations are. Therefore, we can pass by and not be caught.
Most of the temptations of our days are related to sex, drugs and money. The
means to get involved with them are countless. Sometimes they work together and
become even worse. Now they are not restricted to their places, they come through the
internet to the intimacy of our homes.
The have become the most evil weapons of Satan.

Second – Pray and be prayerfully

The best weapon to fight and overcome the sinful nature is to be prayerfully. This
way we develop a relationship with God and the assistance of the Holy Spirit will makes
us alert concern the evil things of the world.

Third – Grab to the Word of God

Read the Word. The Bible is the guide for our growth in our spiritual life. Every
time we read, the Word speaks to us and guides us. God told Joshua to keep the Word in
his lips to conquer the Promised Land. I assure you that by reading the Word you will be
empowered to face the early things and be victorious.

Fourth – Do not give up or give in – get back on track always

Finally, the Word of God says that we shall not sin. But if we sin and confess, He
is faithful and just to forgive our sins. Therefore, when the weight of our old nature is
getting too heavy, don’t give up bring it to Jesus Christ.
 He is saying “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give
you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”.
Amen