Renewed and Redeemed

I was just reading Colossians 3:1-17 and I think this may be a difficult passage to read, understand, and even accomplish. Many jump to the do's and the don'ts. Fair. A lot of. this passage seems like it is constructed with a lot of commands, both positive and negative. But something that stood out is in V 10:

"and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator"

It actually reminds me of this instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyJYydpxruu/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== And he states, so insightfully, "our God is not like other religions, it's not do this and don't do this because I told you so. But it is God is _____ (ie: love) so be like me. And He is like a father who will discipline you for your good, not just for the sake of doing something". And that video reminded me of this passage because it's not just a call to do and don't do, but it is to be "renewed after the image of your creator". And on top of that, "being renewed in knowledge" is beautiful because it is an unending process; it's not like you hit a limit and be like, God I think I am like you in whatever characteristic and then you are good. But because our God is a god of infinite depth, there is no end when it comes to becoming like him- He can just keep taking us deeper and deeper than we could ever think or imagine.

And secondly, I love this passage because the new self is after the image of our God. Unlike the world that tells us to continue to better ourself to be our " best self". Our aim is beyond ourselves and it is mimicking a perfect God to be like Christ.

And lastly, the call to be like Christ is listed in v12-17, but I think what is important to note is the line that states " as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved" put on (list). This is crucial because many think that they will be called holy and beloved when they attain some sort of likeness of the characteristics listed, when the reality is you are already God's chosen ones- He has already called you holy and beloved. So from that identity, aim to be these things. Which if you look at Galatians, looks very similar to the fruits of the Spirit and I mention this because, it is the Spirit that dwells within us that really takes hold of a genuine transformation of the soul, not just behavior modifications (as my last pastor loved to say).

Anyways, may the beauty of being renewed into Christ-likeness be encouraging to your soul and empower you in freedom and not shame or guilt (that is not from the Lord). For you have been redeemed first so you can then be renewed day by day, with no end until you reach heaven.