1 SANCTIFICATION: PUTTING OFF AND PUTTING ON Galatians 5:16-26; Colossians 3:5-17 We can experience the deeper life by putting off and putting on! First we must deal with the negative aspects of our lives and then build the positive. We cannot add positive to the negative. Virtues cannot be built upon sin. Just as a glass must first be empty before we can fill it, so our lives must be empty of self and sin before we can fill them with God s righteousness. Put Off (to Death) Whatever Belongs to the Earthly (Fleshly) Nature (Old Self) (Gal 5:16-21; Col 3:5-10) Why should we put off the earthly nature? Because it is in conflict with the Spirit of God Paul put it: So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want (Gal 5:16-17). Living by the promptings and power of the Spirit is the key to conquering sinful desires (v. 25; Ro 8:2-4). Paul makes this point even stronger by adding the statement: But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law (Gal 5:18). This means that we are not under the bondage of trying to please God by minute observance of the law for salvation or sanctification (Ro 6:14). Only the Spirit can do that. The Flesh (Sins from Within Gal 5:17-21; Jas 4:1-3) The body is to be holy because it belongs to God. It is His temple or dwelling place. (Ro 12:1; 1 Co 6:9-20) The flesh does not mean the skin or the body or sex or anything made by God and declared good (Ge 2:7; 1:27-28,31). The flesh is not the body as such but the addictive, selfish, bodily desires of fallen man: not sex, but lust; not money, but greed; not self, but selfishness and self-centeredness. James refers to it as our desires that battle within Jas 4:1-3) and our own evil desire (Jas 1:14). The flesh refers to the sins from within man. Contrary to what psychologists, psychiatrists, sociologists and anthropologists say, sin is not merely maladjustment, ignorance, mistakes or errors, bad education or misprogramming. Sin is missing the mark! That is, the mark of God s standard of righteousness.
2 Moral Sins (Gal 5:19) 1. Sexual immorality It refers basically to unlawful sexual intercourse and probably includes illicit relationships of every description (1 Co 5:1; 6:13,18; 7:2; 2 Co 12:21; Eph 5:3; Col. 3:5; 1 Th 4:3). This means any sexual relation outside marriage. Christianity came into a world where sexual immorality was not only condoned, but was regarded as essential to the ordinary working of life. 2. Impurity This is a very comprehensive concept which includes not only uncleanness in deeds but also in words, thoughts, and desires of the heart (2 Co 12:21; Eph 4:19; 5:3; Col. 3:5; 1 Th 2:3; 4:7). It is that which makes a person unfit to come before God, the soiling of life with things which separate us from Him. 3. Debauchery Words such as indecency, licentiousness and lasciviousness are used also to describe a person who is unrestrained, who totally lacks self-control, and therefore gives free play to every impulse of his sinful nature (Mk 7:22; Ro 13:13; 2 Co 12:21; Eph 4:19; 1 Pe 4:3; 2 Pe 2:18; Jude 4). Such a person is so far gone in desire that he has no concern for what other people say or think. Religious Sins (Gal. 5:20) 1. Idolatry This refers not only to the worship of images and any evil practice in connection with such worship. For example, it would include eating meats that had been offered to idols, when conscience forbids this, and, in fact, to the substitution of anything at all for the adoration of the true God who has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ (1 Co 10:14; Col 3:5). 2. Witchcraft This primarily refers to sorcery by means of which mysterious, supernatural powers were erroneously ascribed to certain articles, formulas, or incantations (Ex 7:7:11,22; 8:14; Isa 47:9,12; Ac 8:9; 13:8; 19:13,19; Rev 9:21; 18:23; 21:8; 22:15). When faith in magic replaces trust in God it is exposed as a form of idolatry. 3. All kinds of false religious teachings and systems (Dt 32:17; Ps 94:4-5; 1 Ti 4:1-4; 1 Jn 4:1-4; Rev 13:4,15). Social Sins (Gal 5:20-21; Col 3:5,8-9,11) This is the longest list and this list has often been referred to as the Christians sins because they are so typically practiced and accepted by the Christian community. 1. Hatred--Another word used of hatred is enmity which describes a person who is characteristically hostile toward others (Eph 2:16).
3 2. Malice (Discord) The idea of malice or discord is strife, contention, quarreling, and rivalry (Ro 13:13; 1 Co 1:11-12; 3:3; 2 Co 12:20). It describes a person who is always ready to pick a fight. 3. Jealousy This is the word from which we get the word zeal but it degenerated to mean the desire to have what someone else has (Ro 13:13; 1 Co 3:3; 2 Co 12:20). 4. Fits of Rage This is uncontrolled temper which describes not an anger which lasts, but anger with flashes of rage (fury) but which then dies (Ro 2:8; 2 Co 12:20; Eph 4:31; Col 3:8). 5. Selfish Ambition Another word used is self-seeking. It describes the person who wants an office, not from any motives for service, but for what he can get out of it (Ro 2:8; 2 Co 12:20). 6. Dissensions This happens when people are actuated by selfish motives, each craving honor for himself. Individuals or groups working and scheming against each other (Ro 16:17; 1 Co 11:19) seeking honor for themselves. 7. Factions This refers to heretical division where people who hold different views very often dislike, not merely each other s views, but each other. It should be possible to differ with a person and yet remain friends. 8. Envy The essence of this word is that it does not describe the person who wants what someone else has, but rather grudges the fact that the other person has these things at all. It does not so much want the things for itself; it merely wants to take them from the other. The Stoics defined it as grief at someone else s fortune. Thus it is a quality which leads to bitterness. 9. Drunkenness This refers to excessive drinking of alcohol whereby we lose selfcontrol. Scripture considers alcoholism to be a sin, not merely a disease (Lk 21:34; Ro 13:13). It states that drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of heaven (1 Co 6:10). Though the disease aspect of this evil should be given its due, the responsibility aspect must not be ignored. 10. Orgies The original word meant a band of friends who accompanied a victor of the games after his victory as they partied with singing, dancing, laughter and wine. It has come to mean unrestrained revelry, carousing, enjoyment that has degenerated into license. 11. Lust--Turning a subject into an object. Treating a human being as an object of sexual gratification. Persons of the opposite sex are always to be treated with honor. 12. Evil Desires Desires that have to do with evil things. Thinking of ways to take advantage of others and thinking of various ways to hurt them.
4 13. Greed Never satisfied, always wants more and thus closely related to jealousy. 14. Slander Gossip where we tell things that hurt others and also where we tell things about others that may not be true. 15. Filthy Language Using words that are not honoring to God and often degrading to people. 16. Lying Not telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. This is a distortion of truth. Exaggeration is typical of many of us. 17. Prejudice--Thinking less of people because of appearance, race, ethnicity, status, etc. It may also mean showing preference to some. This list of vices is not meant to be exhaustive. Rather it is representative, as is indicated by the words, and the like or and things like these. Response To put off is the same as to be dead (to reckon) to the flesh (Ro 6:3-13) Living a life of denial of self, which is the first requirement of being a disciple (Mt 16:24-26; Mk 8:34; Lk 9:23). To be dead to sin and self is to be quick to say No to the temptations of our sinful human nature which wars against the Spirit of God (Gal 5:16-17; Ro 7:15-23; 1 Pe 2:11). To follow Jesus requires self-denial, complete dedication and willing obedience. The alternative to living by the flesh or sinful nature is to live by the Spirit (Gal 5:16,25), be led by the Spirit (Gal 5:18; Ro 8:14) and keep in step with the Spirit (Gal 5:25) Paul s phrase live by the Spirit is in the present tense meaning go on living (used of habitual conduct). Living by the promptings and power of the Spirit is the key to conquering sinful desires (Gal 5:25; Ro 8:2-4). Paul also says that we are to be led by the Spirit. This means that we are not under the bondage of trying to please God by minute observance of the law for salvation or sanctification. After all, the law provides no enablement to resist the power of sin; it only condemns the sinner. It is grace that enables (Ro 6:14). Put On (Clothe) Righteousness (New Self Col 3:12-17) There is a great danger if we only emphasize the negative, the removal of our dirty garments of sin. I know people who have done that but in the process they ended up with spiritual pride, self-righteousness, and a critical spirit where they became critical of everything and everyone. We must replace our dirty garments with clean ones as we put on the virtues of the Christian life.
5 The fact that we are Christians means that we have already put on the new self with its regenerate nature (Col 3:10). Now we must clothe ourselves with garments that are proper for the new self. Notice that every one of the graces listed has to do with personal relationships between people. There is no mention of qualities such as cleverness, diligence, etc. This means that basic Christian virtues are those that govern human relationships. Christianity is community! 1. Compassion This virtue means sympathy with the distress or suffering of another. If there was one thing the ancient world needed it was mercy. Animals, the handicapped, the sick, the simple-minded, the aged were all relegated to care for themselves. Compassion means feeling with whereby we understand and thus feel what the other person is going through, that is, having a gut-level feeling. 2. Kindness This word refers to Love in little things. Paul contrasts kindness with severity (Ro 11:22). It has the idea of a sweet or good disposition. Like goodness, kindness is love that is active. It is that gentle and gracious spirit which Jesus manifested in forgiving the sinful woman who washed His feet with her hair (Lk 7:37-50). Kindness offers a cup of cold water in the name of Christ (Mt 10:42). It visits orphans and widows in distress (Jas 1:27). 3. Humility This was not considered a virtue in the ancient world. The Greeks associated this word with something despicable. Humble persons were those of no worth who were not able to stand erect but who crawled through life. According to Jesus, however, humility means lowliness of mind. The humble person is one who recognizes the worth and value of other, people but admits his own limitations and weaknesses. It is the mind of Christ which was wiling to empty itself and become a servant (Php 2:3-8). 4. Gentleness This quality means strength that is expressed in tenderness, consideration and sensitivity. Gentleness is similar to meekness which is strength under control. Meekness is not weakness. It was used in referring to the taming or domestication of animals. A gentle person is one who is sensitive toward others in trying and difficult circumstances, tender when others are rough, and quiet and kind when others are loud and rude. 5. Patience This virtue refers to positively putting up with others when severely tried. The primary meaning is patience with people although it includes patience in difficult circumstances. It is the willingness to suffer long for the benefit of others (1 Co 13:4). Paul, writing from a dungeon in Philippi, said he would prefer to die and be with Christ, but because he was needed by his fellow believers that he would stay and minister (Php 1:20-26). 6. Bear with each other This means to endure, put up with, tolerate. It expands the thought of patience and refers to putting up with things we dislike in others by treating them with respect and love.
6 7. Forgiveness The word carries the idea of acting in grace toward others. Paul told the Christians at Colosse,... forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Col 3:13). We are to act in grace toward others as God has acted in grace toward us in Christ. Apart from the grace of God we all would be consigned to hell. 8. Love Binds them all together in perfect unity (v. 14)--Love is the cement that holds everything together. It is the essence of love that it wants the best for others and is willing to help to bring it about. All other characteristics we are looking at are really manifestations of love. This is why Paul says that love is the greatest (1 Co 13:13). John Wesley put it: Love is the root of all the rest. This is why it binds them all together in perfect unity. Since God is love, love is the greatest of all virtues (1 Jn 4:8,16). And our love is to be as wide as God s love for God provides rain and sunshine for the just and the unjust (Mt 5:43-48). 9. Peace (v. 15) Paul refers to the peace of God as surpassing all understanding (Php 4:7)--peace that goes beyond our reasoning powers. The peace that the world gives is based on circumstances (happenstances) whereas God s peace is grounded in God s character, His promises and faithfulness. Peace is being secure in God s love (Ro 8:38-39). It not only refers to lack of fighting but also well-being. 10. Gratitude (v. 15) We are to be thankful and appreciative of the peace Christ bestows on us. This is to be a habit that is acquired. This in turn becomes an incentive for preserving that peace and retaining a sense of God s goodness. Gratitude is a powerful reminder of God s goodness. 11. Word of Christ (v. 16) The message of Christ, that is, the gospel of Christ and all His teachings, is to become so deeply implanted within us as to control all our thinking. 12. Exhort and Praise through Song (v. 16) Under the influence of the word of Christ Christians are to do two things: 1) They are to teach and admonish one another and they are to do so by making use of every kind of wisdom, and 2) They are to sing with gratitude in their hearts to God by using psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. No rigid distinctions should be made between psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Paul is simply emphasizing the rich variety of Christian song. Psalms probably refers to the Old Testament Psalter, that is, the psalms found in the Old Testament. Hymns refer to songs directed to God or others that Christians were accustomed to singing as in our hymnals. Spiritual songs refer to contemporary and/or spontaneous songs as in our praise singing. Paul does not tell us to choose a certain style nor does he say that one style of song is better than another, only that they are different. Each style addresses our multifaceted personalities intellectual, emotional, and volitional. Hymns tend to focus on content and therefore appeal to the intellect, spiritual songs are typically very simple in content and more directed to God Himself and thereby cater more to
our emotions, whereas psalms tend to do both, though they tend more toward the emotions. All three styles make an appeal to the will (volition). To experience the richness of worship, therefore, we need to experience all styles. 7