November 11

So you too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. — Rom 6:11 BSB

Our life from the dead must lead to a new habit and mindset, which is the natural outcome of what Christ has done. We are to consider ourselves dead to sin but alive to God through Jesus Christ. We are to offer ourselves to God, not to die again each day, but as those who have been raised from the dead, offering every part of ourselves as instruments of righteousness for His purposes.

Moreover, His resurrection life empowers us to share in His sufferings and be conformed to His death.

This life enables us to work and endure with joy and victory. We rise with wings like eagles so that we can return to run without growing weary, to walk without fainting.

But let us not confuse the nature of these sufferings. They are not our personal struggles for holiness, our sicknesses, or pains, but the sufferings we bear with Him for others—for a suffering church and a dying world. May God help us to no longer experience sorrow for ourselves, but, in the power of His resurrection, to carry His burdens and drink from His cup.