Alive in Christ - The Crosswalk Devotional - January 28

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Alive in Christ
By Vivian Bricker 

Bible Reading:
“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires” (Romans 6:11-12).

From the moment we place faith in Jesus, our lives change. We are no longer held in bondage to sin in the same way as we used to be. While we will all continue to struggle with sin throughout our lives, we are no longer slaves to sin. 

Instead, we are children of God. As His children, we are no longer compelled to obey the sinful flesh as we should want to follow, glorify, and obey God in every area of our lives. 

Many people have radical changes after placing faith in Jesus and I had the privilege of getting to know someone who had one of these amazing changes in their life. There was an employee at my former Bible college who was known to be a previous criminal, and he served many years in prison due to his crimes. While he was in prison, he placed faith in the Lord and his entire life changed. I did not know this person prior to his conversion, but I do know he is one of the kindest individuals I have ever had the honor of meeting. 

Whenever I think of this individual, I am reminded of the power of the Lord. He can completely transform a person’s life and give them a second chance. This man was always more than happy to tell anyone about Jesus and how much He had done in his life. 

When we choose to follow Jesus and surrender our lives to Him, only good will come from it. By turning to Jesus, we are choosing life. If you have not placed faith in Jesus yet, know that it is never too late to believe in Him. If you believe that Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and rose again, you will be saved (Romans 10:9-11). 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

The Bible tells us, “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires” (Romans 6:11-12). The Apostle Paul spoke these words to the Roman Church, but they still apply to us today. 

We are dead to sin, but alive in Christ Jesus. This means that we are no longer subject to obey the sinful flesh. Rather than submitting to worldly desires, we submit ourselves to God (James 4:7). God has powerful things in store for us; all we need to do is follow Him. Even if the sinful flesh tries to tempt us by saying sin is the “better way,” we know that true life is only found in Christ. 

Turning away from sin looks like staying away from anything that tempts us or causes sin to rise in our hearts. For example, if jealousy is a common sin you struggle with, avoid spending too much time on social media. Choose to practice thankfulness for all the blessings of God in your life and avoid comparing yourself to others.  

Talk with God in prayer, lean on Him, and study His Word. It may also help to lean on other believers and ask them for their advice in rising above the temptations of the flesh. Jesus Himself knows what it feels like to be tempted, and He will help us find a way to escape it (Hebrews 4:15). 

Have you been made alive in Christ? If not, what is holding you back? What sin keeps you bogged down? How might you ask the Lord to help you fight back against this sin? 

Further Reading:
Romans 6:23
2 Corinthians 5:17
Ephesians 3:20-21

How did today’s devotional speak to you? Share your thoughts in the Crosswalk Devotional discussion.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/PeopleImages 

Vivian Bricker obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry, followed by a Master of Arts with an emphasis in theology. She loves all things theology, mission work, and helping others learn about Jesus. Find more of her content at Cultivate.

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com! 

Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!

Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!