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).   It seems to me that much of the church has lost the fear of the Lord (1 Peter 2:17).  It is true that God is love, God is kind, God is longsuffering and salvation is a free gift, it cannot be earned.  However God is not an enabler, and Paul can talk about both the goodness and the severity of God. In particular “on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off” (Romans 11:22)

Jesus speaks into the title verse when He says to His disciples “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). But what is this denying ourselves, putting to death the misdeeds of the body, and crucifying the sinful nature with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24)?  Paul speaks about it as our being living sacrifices, and about no longer living for ourselves, but for Him who died for us and rose again. This is what it means to be a new creation  (Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 5:15, 17).  If it sounds intense or unreasonable look at what it cost and remember You are not your own  you were bought at a price with the precious blood of Christ, and look at the rewards “you will live” (1 Cor 6:19, 20; Romans 8:13; 1Pet. 1:19 ). You see there can be no resurrection without a death, and we cannot be truly free while we are still under the domination of the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Jesus essentially tells us that the one who sins is addicted to sin, on the other hand if the Son shall set you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:34, 36).

Notice that is is both by the Spirit,  and you who are to put death the deeds and the desires of the sinful nature. We cannot compel the sinful nature to die, but we can cooperate with the Spirit as He does it with us. Until we do this we are not truly free. Even so it is a process, and I still find myself praying “Lord help me to do my part in putting to death the deeds and the desires of the sinful nature!” Paul admonishes us “Take heed to yourselves and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1Timothy 4:16).

Father, thank You for free gift of salvation, and the assurance of it as I take heed and continue in the faith (1 Timothy 4:16 again). Somehow Lord we have failed to stress the importance of continuing in the faith. But the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). I cannot do it perfectly Lord,  for in many things we all fail (James 3:2). But thank You that If we confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thank You too Lord that You who began a good work in us will keep right on working until the day of Jesus Christ in whose Name we pray Amen