21st January 2026

Every so often, a message pops up on my laptop that says, ‘Issues Found’. I usually chuckle and think, yes, I do have issues, but clicking on the link won’t fix them. My car had some issues last month – the part that holds the serpentine belt and makes the car run literally fell off as I was driving. Fortunately, and I have God to thank for this, an automotive tech was in the car with me and I was about to stop. The shop manager told me what happened was like having a heart attack in the doctor’s office. That was a major issue, but they fixed it and after forking over some cash, I was on my merry way.  

Don’t we wish solving all our issues in life were as easy as paying someone to fix them? Paul talks about our issues in Colossians 3, spiritual ones such as “Illicit sexual behavior, uncleanness, passion, evil desire and greed (which is a form of idolatry)’ (v.5 NTfE). Wait, there’s more: ‘anger, rage, wickedness, blasphemy, dirty talk coming out of your mouth’ (v.8). All of these and more plague us daily, within ourselves and others, but there’s no easy fix. Paul tells us we are to put all of these away because we have already stripped off the old human nature and put on the new one, ‘which is being renewed in the image of the creator, bringing you into possession of new knowledge’ (v.10). 

It’s a new year and most of us tend to think of it as a new beginning and that just maybe, we can change, grow and be better, do better and make a difference in this broken world. Paul says we can, not with resolutions but in and through Christ. In verses 12 and 13, he says to put on the new clothes of tender-heartedness, kindness, humility and meekness, and to be willing to put up with anything and bear with one another. This is possible in Christ because God has chosen us, made us holy and lavished his love upon us. He and his love can accomplish this in our hearts. 

Let’s begin this new year by letting the Messiah’s word dwell richly in us (perhaps start by memorising Colossians 3:1-16) and turning our issues over to the Holy Spirit. He pours God’s love into our hearts, which ties everything together and makes it complete (v. 14).

This study that was first published on 7 January 2026, at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com a personal blog which is not sponsored by Grace Communion International.

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