May 11 | Colossians 3:1-14
- Elaine Pierce
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
How to Shed Dragon Skin
By Elaine Pierce
Actions have consequences, and the Apostle Paul makes it clear in this passage that Christians are to put off their sinful nature and live a life centered on Jesus and his love, compassion, and forgiveness. Paul knows (from firsthand experience) how hard it is to throw out those pre-Christian habits: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language (see verses 5 and 8).
But what do we replace them with? Verses 12-14 make it clear:
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.....Forgive as the Lord forgave you....And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Of course I would rather be compassionate than angry....kind instead of greedy....gentle instead of filled with rage....but so often I fall short. I cling to old habits, afraid to completely turn my life over to God. I am sure most of you have read C. S. Lewis' Chronicle of Narnia series. In "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," we read about how Eustace, who was an arrogant, self-centered, and annoying brother to Edmund, Lucy and Susan, becomes a fiercesome dragon. Lewis writes, "Sleeping on a dragon’s hoard with greedy, dragonish thoughts in his heart, he had become a dragon himself. "Of course, after awhile he desperately wants to be a boy again, but he cannot free himself from his dragon skin. He finally realizes that only Aslan can release him:
You will have to let me undress you.’ I was afraid of his claws, I can tell you, but I was pretty nearly desperate now. So I just lay flat down on my back to let him do it.
“The very first tear he made was so deep that I thought it had gone right into my heart. And when he began pulling the skin off, it hurt worse than anything I've ever felt. The only thing that made me able to bear it was just the pleasure of feeling the stuff peel off. You know - if you've ever picked the scab off a sore place. It hurts like billy-oh but it is such fun to see it coming away.”
We cannot free ourselves from our sin and shame. The only way is through the Cross. Thanks be to God that he sends his Holy Spirit to intercede for us. And thanks for the body of Christ. We are not in this battle alone. Paul reminds us that we are God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved. Run to the Father - he is ready to receive you.
PRAYER
Lord, I want to throw off my old sinful skin, and yet I return again and again to old ways. Help me each day to come to you in confession, and to receive grace and forgiveness. Amen.
Find additional "Dying to Live" study materials designed for small groups or individual use here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ELAINE PIERCE
It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!
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