Characteristics of a New Man

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 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. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let 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. 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. Colossians 3:12-17

As Christians we are new creatures who pursue the grand purpose of following Christ. As a new man there are changes that take place in our lives. We no longer put our ways first, but those of God. We no longer seek after earthly treasures, but spiritual treasures found in heaven. We no longer enjoy the “passing pleasures of sin”, but “suffer affliction with the people of God” (Hebrews 11:25).

There are a number of characteristics that should be added to those who are of the elect of God; many of those attributes we read of in Colossians 3. And as the elect, or chosen, let us try to put on these good and righteous things. Let us put on things such as kindness, humility, and patience.

We need to be a forgiving people. As Christ forgave us, so ought we to be forgiving. When someone has wronged us in some way, but comes to us and asks forgiveness, let us give it out freely.

Love should abound in us greatly. In our daily lives, we should be imitating the love of Christ and showing others this great love by our actions and speech. We need to be caring and compassionate - not just for one another (John 13:34-35), but also for those who are lost (Matthew 9:36).

By reading our Bibles we root God’s word deeper and deeper within our hearts and minds and then can let that word dwell in us. Having greater knowledge of Christ and God’s will can grant us great and true peace; and it is that peace from God that we need to let rule our hearts.

With all of this goodness that the new person in Christ can have, we can’t help but want to share it with each other, praise God, and give thanks to Him.

                -- John Thrower Jr.