You are going to die. That shouldn’t shock or surprise you. We see death all around us, and it’s because of sin. Without sin in our world, death would not happen. (See Romans 5).
True or False: Anyone who believes in Jesus will never die.
Well, some might think of Jesus’ statement in John 11:25,26 when he cleverly contrasts the consequences of believing in him as they relate to 1) physical death, and 2) eternal death.
Basically, Jesus said that believers do die physically, but don’t die eternally.
True or False: Believers do not die spiritually.
In all my years of Bible reading and pastoral training, all my sermons and prayers and teaching doctrine, I have taught that believers don’t die spiritually. I have taught that spiritual death was experienced by Jesus when he was crucified, and so believers don’t suffer from that curse of sin (Romans 8:1).
That has always been true and will always be true. But someone emailed me today with a question about this verse, and it’s giving me new insight. Here’s the verse:
“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13).
Now, look carefully here. In a particular sense, believers do die spiritually.
Believers choose to die spiritually whenever we submit ourselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit, sacrificially take up our cross, deny the temptations of our flesh, and kill the instincts of sin that want to control us.
This is a kind of spiritual death that is not a curse, but a blessing. A fruit of faith. An act of love. A gift of worship that we give to Jesus who has saved us from death.
And by the power of the Holy Spirit through Jesus’ own return to life, when we experience this death, we also experience a resurrection. “You will live.” Not just eternally, but spiritually.
You will grow in your sanctification. You will walk in more steps with the Spirit. You will increase in faith, dive deeper in prayer, and rise higher in adoring your Savior God.
PRAYER: Jesus, you died for me, experience the eternal and spiritual curse of my sin. Thank you, Lord. I love you. I believe that you saved me from spiritual death, and so I now choose to spiritually die to my selfish and sinful desires. I am a walking dead person, resurrected to live for you. Alive! Forever! Alleluia!
BIBLE READING: Romans chapter 8 is one of the top ten greatest chapters in the Bible. Read it. Slowly. And if the Spirit presses pause while you are reading, then stop and ponder for a while. Maybe that’s as far as you get. You can always read more later.