One of the NT paradigms so helpful in growing or maturing as a Christian (sanctification) is that we live out our new identity in Christ. We are a new creation in Jesus, with our old self dying and a new me rising to life with him (Col. 2:11-13; 3:1-4). From this foundation of our new status as God’s forgiven, remade, and beloved children, and from this new identity where who I am is integrally connected to my union with Jesus, we then put to death sin and put on Christ. We say “out with the old and in with the new” when it comes to those desires, thoughts, and behaviors that aren’t fitting of me now in Jesus or are fitting. Unlike how our clothes become out of fashion every few years, the virtues of Christ we’re to put on (Col. 3:12-15) are unchanging. They are attractive, fitting clothes in every season and through the ages.
To help process some of the vices to put off and virtues to put from Colossians 3:5-15, I created this worksheet. This list is not exhaustive, so there might be sins or virtues more fitting for where you are in life, so you can add those as well. As you prayerfully reflect on the worksheet, spend more time on those vices or virtues that strike a chord or speak to where you’re at, or what you are or need to struggle with right now.
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