Die to Live

 “. . .Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die it abideth alone: but if it dies, it bringeth forth much fruit.” (John 12:24)

The smallest of seeds can yield a beautiful harvest. But they must first die to what they were in the packet and lie buried in rich soil before any fruit is noticeable.

Are you feeling stale and unproductive in your Christian walk? A fruitful life is stunted by clinging to the flesh's passions; the old sin nature must die. If it doesn’t, the ungodly tendencies in you rule your spirit. According to Galatians 5:19–21, the results of that inaction include sexual immorality, impurity, lust, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and “other such sins.”

Do you think I’m not like that? These destructive characteristics are not an exhaustive list of “bad fruit” but evidence of a life not surrendered to the lordship of Christ. There are “other such sins” like these. It doesn’t take a horrible sin to separate you from God. Have you told a lie, been jealous, envious, or selfish? Of course, you have; we all have. The point is no one who continues a lifestyle of the old sin nature can inherit the kingdom of God (v. 21).

Jesus lived a selfless, sinless life, dying for our sins so we could live. But we must first die (to our selfish, sinful ways) to live in right standing with the Father, to spend eternity with Him. Once surrendered to Him, the Holy Spirit indwells and empowers His children to live with integrity, godliness, and moral character. Evidence of our new life is the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (v. 22). As we surrender to and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, victory over the old sin nature is ours.