What does it mean to be “crucified with Christ?” How does that affect the way we as Christians live out our daily lives? Let’s dig into these questions today.

Take a look at the passage above again. The truth of this verse is simple: you can’t start living the Christian life until you die. That may sound weird, but it is the central fact of the life of a follower of Christ. You cannot truly live until you die. But what are you called to die to? As a believer, you are called to die to yourself and your flesh.

Every day you must make a decision to die to self. That means dying to sin, to selfishness, to safety, and to anything that comes between you and the Lord Jesus Christ. That is exactly what Jesus meant when He said, “If any man is going to follow Me, he must take up his cross daily.” 

I’m not saying dying to self is easy. It’s actually very difficult. But I want to challenge and encourage you this week to do just that. When the opportunity arises, whether in the form of fleeing temptation to sin, making your wife’s needs a priority over yours, or sacrificing sleep to get up early and read your Bible, choose to die to self. 

–James Merritt