Living in the Garden of Grace: Put to Death Your Members

The Parable of the Old Coat

A man once wore an old, tattered coat. Over the years, it became so much a part of him that he felt it was part of his body. Even as the coat grew heavier and more uncomfortable, he couldn’t imagine life without it. One day, a tailor offered him a beautiful new coat, perfectly made and free of charge. The man hesitated but finally agreed to try it on. As he slipped out of the old coat and into the new, he realized the freedom and comfort he had been missing all along.

This parable reflects the transformation described in Colossians 3:5. Paul’s command to “put to death your members” calls us to shed the old, sinful patterns ingrained in us like an old coat and to embrace the new life we have in Christ.

Reflection on "Put to Death Your Members"

Paul’s language in Colossians 3:5 is striking. He uses the term “members” to describe sins like fornication, evil desires, and covetousness, implying these sins can feel as ingrained in us as physical parts of our bodies. Yet, Paul’s command to “put to death” these sins assures us that victory is possible through the grace of God.

1. Sins That Feel Like "Members":
   Some sins can become so habitual that they seem like extensions of our bodies—ingrained patterns we feel powerless to break. Paul’s metaphor acknowledges the deep-rooted nature of these sins but offers hope that they can be defeated.

2. The Power of Putting Off and Putting On:
   The process of victory begins with putting off the old man—the crucified sinful nature and its desires (the flesh)—and putting on the new man—the new self, renewed in Christ (Colossians 3:9-10). This is not a matter of self-effort but of walking in the grace and power of the Spirit.

3. Bidding Sin Goodbye:
   Just as the man in the parable had to consciously remove the old coat, we must bid goodbye to sins we’ve clung to for too long. Through the finished work of Christ, we are empowered to say “Goodbye” to even the most deeply ingrained habits and to walk in the freedom of grace.

Practical Applications

1. Identify the "Members" in Your Life:
   Prayerfully ask God to reveal any sinful patterns that feel ingrained in your life. Acknowledge them honestly, knowing that God’s grace is sufficient to bring freedom.

2. Walk in Grace, Not Effort:
   Victory over sin does not come through willpower alone but through walking in the grace of God. Trust in the truth that your old self was crucified with Christ and that His Spirit empowers you to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:6-7).

3. Put Off and Put On Daily:
   Each day, consciously put off the old patterns of sin and put on the new self by renewing your mind in God’s Word. Let the truth of who you are in Christ shape your thoughts and actions.

Reflection Questions

1. Are there any sins in your life that feel as ingrained as physical “members”? How does Paul’s command to “put to death” these sins encourage you?

2. What does it mean to you to “put off the old man” and “put on the new man”?

3. How can walking in grace rather than self-effort transform the way you approach overcoming sin?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the power of Your grace that enables us to put off the old and put on the new. Show us the areas of our lives where sin has become ingrained, and empower us to bid those sins goodbye. May we walk each day in the freedom and victory of Your grace, reflecting the new life we have in Christ. Amen.

Closing Thought

No sin is so deeply rooted that God’s grace cannot overcome it. Through the finished work of Christ and the daily renewal of the Spirit, we can put to death the old patterns and walk in the freedom of the new life we have in Him.

This post draws inspiration from the Living in the Garden of Grace devotional, encouraging us to embrace the freedom of walking in grace.