"For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.” Romans 8:13
Sometimes living the Christian life feels like death and sometimes it feels like abundant life. As you follow Jesus, there are times that feel like a crucifixion and other times that feel like a resurrection. Old habits can die hard- sometimes by the death of 1,000 blows. As we take seriously God’s call to walk in His will and ways, we will often feel a crucifixion before we feel a resurrection.
We are instructed in God’s Word that as we put sin to death by the power of the Holy Spirit, we will experience resurrection life with God. Each Christian is commanded to refuse to follow the tendencies and desires of our sinful nature. We are to deny the tantalizing temptations that come our way from the enemy. We are to say “no” to the pull of our sinful side. To say "yes" to sin is to walk a path that ends in death. This verse does not mean that a believer who sins will face eternal death in hell; instead, it means he or she will not enjoy their spiritual life-giving fellowship with God when they practice sin.
Often following our sinful nature feels like the way of life and joy. God tells us otherwise. He says that if you follow sin and Satan, it will only end poorly. Sure, sin may seem like the better option for a moment, but that moment passes very quickly and ends in death. In contrast, if by the power of the Holy Spirit, we die to the deceptive pull of sin and instead walk with God in fellowship, true life will be found.
There are times when the Christian life will feel like death as you “crucify your flesh”. It can hurt as you kill the sin lurking within you, not giving it any life. Often, transformation is painful. You say, I thought this was supposed to be a word of encouragement? It is encouraging to know that for any of us who have taken Christ’s call seriously to deny ourselves, we have felt like we are in the tomb and the resurrection may never come. But trust that God knows what He is doing and thank Him that He would care enough to expose and heal the sin within you. It was painful for Jesus Christ to go to the cross. Yet, on the other side of the cross was a harvest of resurrection life for countless souls! God will always lead you to life. Remember the words of Jesus from Luke 9: “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it.”