“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…” - 2 Corinthians 5:17a (CSB)There is a subtle but dangerous shift that often happens after we hear the gospel. We rejoice that God has saved us, and then almost immediately begin trying to improve ourselves to deserve what we have received. Without realizing it, we turn Christianity into a renovation project rather than a resurrection.Paul ...  Read More

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” - 2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB)Few questions shape a life more than this one: Who am I? Our culture tells us the answer must be discovered somewhere inside ourselves. Look inward. Search your feelings. Examine your story. Define yourself by your experiences and desires.Scripture answers differ...  Read More

“And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts.” - Colossians 3:15a (CSB)By the time Paul reaches this command, he has already done something crucial. He has grounded renewal in identity, clarified that it is a process, addressed how the mind is reshaped, called for old patterns to be put off, and described the new character to be put on. Now he turns to ...  Read More

“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” - Colossians 3:12 (CSB)God never calls us to let go of something without offering something better in its place. Renewal is not subtraction alone. It is replacement. Paul does not tell believers to simply stop sinning and figure out the rest later. He tells them what to put on...  Read More

“But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth.” - Colossians 3:8 (CSB)One of the most common misunderstandings about spiritual growth is the belief that renewal is mainly about addition. We assume change happens when we add better habits, stronger disciplines, or more spiritual activities to our lives. While those things matter, Paul remin...  Read More

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” - Romans 12:2a (CSB)Most of us try to change our lives from the outside in. We focus on habits, reactions, words, and decisions, hoping that if we can just behave differently, everything else will eventually fall into place. But Scripture consistently moves in the opposite direction. God changes us from the inside ...  Read More