Still For Today
The New Testament letters in the Bible were written to various churches to instruct them on the ways of living in the New Covenant. The instructions they received were given with an understanding of what the New Covenant was about, who it was for, and how it was to benefit those who were under it. Because they are written in such a way in each situation, their instructions are pertinent to those who are alive today. Some things were merely cultural to that day and time, and they can fairly easily be discerned as to what they were and how they might be out of place in our time. But much of what was given as instruction is still for today.
Now, some like to ignore some of the writings that address behavior as it makes them uncomfortable for whatever reason. Ignoring such passages is not as beneficial as some might like to think. We do not need to ignore difficult passages out of fear of making people legalistic in their thinking. We can present instructive passages that address behavior in such a way as to promote what it means to adorn the gospel and live out our true identity in Christ Jesus. We can stay in step with how they are presented in the letters themselves.
Example:
Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
These instructions are offered in the context of one having become a new creation in Christ and having the identity of being raised with Him in newness of life. It seeks to remind them of what they had been called out of and then into. In other words, while it instructs them of the differences, it establishes an understanding of who they are in Christ.
It addresses what New Creation behavior looks like. It recommends where to aim their ambitions by determining what they will set their minds on. In other words, it instructs them about how best to invest their imagination so that their practices and habits align with what is in step with who they have become in Christ.
It speaks of what they once before walked on when they did not know Christ. It reminds them of how unfortunate a way of living that was and the judgment it promised had they not been rescued from it.
It encourages believers to actively put to death the things of the flesh that desire to arise, take over their purpose, and confuse their identity. It calls believers to walk according to the image of Christ, which they were created in. To realize this, one must alter one’s thinking to fit the reality of who one truly is in Christ.
The New Covenant contains instructive language that is still relevant today so that we can truly manifest the beauty of the image of Christ in which we have been created. It needs to be presented correctly, with understanding and maturity, so that the saints can realize its glorious appeal and possibilities. We are not destined to think and live as we did before we came to Christ and were born again. We are designed to be renewed in our knowledge and practice according to the image of Him who created us. It is still for today.
