Real Clear Truth

Recently, I was looking at Colossians 3:10, which is similar in many respects to Romans 12:2 which also intrigued me.

Col 3:10 And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The Greek words for “renewed” and “renewing” are basically the same (”anakainoo” and “anakainosis”, respectively), and it means “to be changed into a new kind of life”, or a “complete change for the better”.

The Greek word for “knowledge” is “epignosis” and has to do with the correct knowledge of Christ and His nature.

The Greek word for “created” refers back to the “new man” and refers to how when you were born of the Spirit, God formed and shaped you into a completely changed and transformed man.

So, the verse in Colossians is saying that we are literally to clothe ourselves with (put on) the new man that God has created for us, which is an entirely new and better life (renewed), one that understands the nature of Him who created us and one who understands that nature because it’s according to His image, i.e., the likeness of One who can create, shape and transform for good.

The verse in Romans is saying that we are not to conform or mold our minds to the thinking of this age, but literally to be transfigured (i.e., into a totally new creation) by taking on a renewed mind that is a complete change for the better, because in doing so we will verify as genuine what is the agreeably pleasant, well pleasing and perfectly complete desire of God.

In other words, when we are renewed we start to see and discern the purposes of the creative God, we take on His creative purposes for our lives, and we start living the life He intended for us, a life not shackled to the limitations of our old life, but one transfigured to carry out the perfectly complete and well pleasing will of God after whose creative image we step into.

There is something important about being truly renewed. There is something tied there to His creative nature. There is something to understanding His purposes for creating us.

In one sense, you could say that only God is the Creator because creation has to do with shaping and forming things for good purposes. Satan, on the other hand, could be called the Destroyer as his powers are focused on tearing things down and nullifying their purpose.

The more we focus on God, the more we will be transfigured and renewed to live the life He created for us to live, the more we will see things from His creative viewpoint and understand His purposes, and the more we will become like Him bringing transformation, renewal and purpose to all those we meet.