Something that has been on my heart recently is redemption and renewal through the Holy Spirit. Can someone who seems so lost and broken be renewed? Can someone who caused so much pain and grief be redeemed? The answer in God’s Word is YES AND AMEN! There is no one who is beyond God’s mercy and grace. Our redemption is through the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross when He died for our sins and then rose to life three days later. In today’s post, I wanted to write out some of my thoughts as I was reading in Matthew 15-19 last night and Colossians 3 this morning. Lots of good insights and instructions in these passages!

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

Colossians 3:1-4

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him… Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

Colossians 3:10, 11b

What a glorious thought! All that matters in this life is living for God and dwelling in His love. When we truly focus our hearts on heavenly things and God’s purpose for our lives rather than earthly possessions and pleasures, we can really live with such hope and peace. When we accept Christ as our Savior and experience His renewal, He dwells within us! After Jesus ascended into heaven post-resurrection, He sent His disciples the Holy Spirit to guide them and fill them with His power (Luke 24:49; Acts 2:1-4). The same is true for us as believers today! Because God no longer lives among us in a visual, physical way through the presence of Jesus, He is here through His Holy Spirit.

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Romans 8:11 NLT

We cannot live two different lives at the same time. Because we have this new life in Christ when we truly believe in Him, our worldly self is dead and gone. All of that sin and bondage is absolutely washed away and buried! We have so much hope because of His redemption, and we are made completely new! Therefore, we should not be engaging in the things of our past sinful life.

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.

Colossians 3:5-8 NLT

If there are certain things that tempted us in particular or were severely damaging to us, we should avoid them completely. We should get rid of any trace of temptation (Matthew 18:8-10) and give the devil no opportunity (Ephesians 4). Even if something that could trigger you to sin would not necessarily affect someone else in the same way – because it’s “only one drink” or “that inappropriate scene only lasts a few seconds” – if it may cause you to drift back to a darkened mindset, it’s not worth even dipping your toe in that water. You may just find yourself drowning in an ocean. Good thing is, our Messiah walks on water (Matthew 14:22-32). We are definitely not going to perfect while we’re still here on this earth. Of course we’re going to find ourselves in a rut every once in awhile. We’re going to struggle and we’re going to stumble. Maybe we’ll even stay in that rut for a pretty long time – but as soon as you call upon the Lord and seek Him, you will find Him. He will reach out His hand to you and pull you from the rut. He will save you from those turbulent waters. He will save you from yourself.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:12-17

And whelp, there you have it! I couldn’t have said it better myself. We will by no means be perfect on our own, but that’s why Jesus provides a way of redemption for us. Will you seek Him and His redemption? Will you believe in His grace and truth?

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:25-26 NLT