Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New

The concept of "putting off the old man and putting on the new" is a central theme in the Christian faith. However, is it also very misunderstood.

Most read this as “stop doing bad things and start doing good things”. But this is completely wrong.

Putting off the old man and putting on the new man is not you doing anything. There is not a single good work that is involved. Notice the past tense in following passages:

“[9] Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; [10] And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: [11] Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” – Col 3:9-10

“[20] But ye have not so learned Christ; [21] If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: [22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; [23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; [24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” – Ephesians 4:20-24

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” – Galatians 3:27

Putting off the old man is not your effort to stop sinning. You were dead in your trespasses and sins, but when you were saved by trusting in the gospel, your old man was put off/circumcised/killed. Your old man was put off in the past by your crucifixion with Christ. Your old man is dead and can’t be any better (Gal 2:20, Col 2:11, Rom 6:3,6).

Putting on the new man is not you trying to be better either. The new man isn’t you... it is Christ and your new identity in Christ, not what you make yourself in Christ. It is a new creature (2Co 5:17, Gal 6:15)

To walk according to this new identity, as dead to sin and alive in Christ, you must remember this identity. It sounds elementary, but you forget this truth all the time.

This is why both passages in Colossians and Ephesians mention a renewal of your mind in knowledge. As Romans 6:11 says,

"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:11

Putting off the old and putting on the new is not a new you or new outward behavior, its your brutal death and the glorious life of Christ in you. True change begins in the inward man and your inward man’s transformation starts when you know who you are, what you should do, where you are going, and why you are here in Christ because of the gospel. It is only by embracing this new identity and continually renewing one's mind in God’s word that true transformation can take place (Gal 2:20, Col 1:27, Rom 12:1-2).