If you live according to the sinful nature, you will die;

....  but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live (Romans 8:13). This New Testament principle is the equivalent of  “in the day that you eat of it,  you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17). There is a perversion of the gospel (the good news) that is quite common, especially in the West, which says you don't have to change to be saved (put right with God). But this is to ignore  the command to repent (doing a 180 with respect to sin - Mark 1:15). It also ignores such warnings as “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins remains,  but only a fearful expectation of judgment” (Hebrews 10:26, 27). Certainly we are intended to have assurance of salvation, and when we confess and forsake sins we will be forgiven (1 John 5:13; 1:9). But the presumption inherent in the Hebrews reference, is the very opposite of the repentance necessary for salvation (Luke 13:3, 5).

What is interesting, is that many recovering addicts seem to have a more accurate understanding of our sin nature,  than do many Christians.  The sin nature is the inborn impetus to sin, to do misdeeds.  We all have it, we inherited it from Adam.  Because of this, the default is to sin. I am convinced, given the right (or perhaps wrong) circumstances,  that each and every one of us is capable of the most heinous of crimes. You and I could easily have been an Auschwitz guard!  It's no trouble for you to know that about me,  but for you to know it about you,  is to know yourself pretty well. But most of us do not know ourselves that well. It's the offense of the cross, namely that our sin nature is so serious, that the only way for justice to be served,  is for the perfect Son of God to die in our place as a substitution for our sin (1 Peter 3:18).  I often hear “I'm a good person,” but only God is good (Mark 10:18).  It is offensive to many.

But it's not just the misdeeds of the body that need to die, it is also the passions and desires of the sinful nature (Galatians 5:24). So how “by the Spirit” do we put these things to death.  Our part (the “we” in this morning's verse) is to use the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17).  When we learn,  memorize,  internalize and believe (trust in) the precious promises of the Word, we come to share in God's divine nature and so to live (2 Peter 1:4). When we do our part,  the Spirit does His.  For example He kills greed and pride and fear and lust,  changing our desires,  and giving us the wherewithal (the grace) to do His will (Philippians 2:12, 13).  He also provides the way to stand up under trials and to escape temptation (Philippians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13).  

Father, thank You that You loved us so much that You sent Your only Son Jesus to put us right with You (John 3:16). Since the cancer of sin has to fully die, please help us to daily present our bodies as living sacrifices, and to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:1, 2). When we do this, we will start to live the abundant life (John 10:10b). Thank You Lord for Your awesome salvation,  in Jesus Name Amen