We don't have to die
We are to reckon ourselves dead, instead of having to die. You may ask the flesh to die, but it never will. We talk of having to die to the flesh, because we have not got the consciousness of the positive distinctness of the two natures. The old man will take good care not to die. But being alive in Christ, I have the privilege and title to treat the other nature, the old one, as dead, because He died. It is never said that we have to die, but that as Christians we are entitled to, and do, hold ourselves for dead; because we have this new life. The person who talks of dying to sin, actually holds himself to be alive to sin.
J. N. Darby,
"Dead and Risen with Christ" (emphasis added)
But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus,
ReplyDeletewho of God
is made unto us wisdom,
and righteousness,
and sanctification,
and redemption:
that, according as it is written,
He that glorieth,
let him glory in the Lord.
(1 Corinthians 1:30-31)
Thus saith the LORD,
Let not the wise man
glory in his wisdom,
neither let the mighty man
glory in his might,
let not the rich man
glory in his riches:
but let him that glorieth
glory in this,
that he understandeth
and knoweth Me,
the I am the LORD
which exercise lovingkindness,
judgment,
and righteousness,
in the earth:
for in these things
I delight,
saith the LORD.
(Jeremiah 9:23-24)