Renewed in knowledge. // Part 1

[You] have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. // Colossians 3:10 

In Genesis 1, it says that God made us in his image. He impressed certain characteristics of himself on us and they were meant to be a type of picture or image of who he is (characteristics like purity, love, loyalty, a caring heart, concerned stewardship, a caretaker personality, artist, intellect, philosopher, designer, planner, etc.) We were originally meant to be image-bearers; God created us in his image so that anyone could view us in our daily routine and recognize, “Oh, that particular way of managing an issue reveals a trait that comes from God, the Creator.”

But the Biblical narrative says that Satan was not pleased with God pressing his image on humanity. Satan very craftily desired to taint both the relationship we had with God and mess up the image of God that we bore in our person. (Satan came to steal, to kill, and to destroy. // John 10:10) Satan worked his deceitful craft by luring Adam and Eve away from trusting God fully; as a result of their fall, we became a very dim and very polluted version of God’s image—almost unrecognizable. It’s like God’s image started to die in us or fade away.

Now what? Did God just leave us in that frustrated position? No! 

Colossians 3 gives our tired and weary hearts hope of redemption. 

[You] have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. // Colossians 3:10 

There is a new self—a new you. AND to top it off, God adds that this new you is being renewed. We are in a state of ever-increasing and progressive return to the original image that God impressed on us. How does he do this?

Every time you see Jesus interacting with humanity in the Word, you get to see how God wishes to interact with you. That information—that insight—that you gain is what is meant by the term, “knowledge.” But it’s no ordinary knowledge—it’s experiential knowledge. 

You may “know” that God loves humanity, but when you see him live out that love as he heals a man born blind, you experience a little more of that love. You may “know” that he cares about little children, but when Jesus actually blesses the little children, you get to experience God’s real love for those who seem too young to be important. Jesus considers even a small child to be important, and Jesus considers you to be important. As that sinks into your grey matter and starts to soothe your soul, you experience him in your life.

Small Groups are also one of those ways that God uses to grow this experiential knowledge. As a group grows and shares with each other, and cares about one another, you begin to recognize through the members of the group that God cares about you.

We are being renewed. We are being renewed in knowledge in the image of our Creator. We are in a state of ever-increasing and progressive return to the original image that God impressed on us. There is progress because the text of Colossians 3 makes it clear that this is being done in us by God. He is renewing us in the image of our Creator. So hold on—he’s making you into a better person day by day.

Blessings to you in Christ,

Pastor Al