Bonfire [Sanctified Flesh] Devotions Day 3

You Have to Participate

Devotional
Jesus did the hard part. His death and resurrection broke the power of sin once and for all. That is not in question. But here is something that might surprise you: He still invites you to participate. Romans 6:11 uses the language of deliberate decision. It calls us to actively consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God. Sanctification is not something that just happens to you while you sit still. It requires a choice, sometimes moment by moment. Think about it this way. Jesus has already done the work of killing what was destroying you. But you have to stop going back to resurrect it. This is not about willpower or white-knuckling your way through temptation. It is about saying yes to the Holy Spirit's work in your life and no to what is trying to pull you back. The Holy Spirit is not a passive force. He is actively working in you, and He is more than capable of carrying you through the moments when you feel like you cannot say no on your own. You are not alone in this. You were never meant to be. Lean into the Spirit, participate in the work He is already doing, and trust that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive and working in you right now.

Bible Verse
"So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus." - Romans 6:11

Reflection Question
In what area of your life are you waiting passively for change instead of actively participating with the Holy Spirit?

Quote
"Sanctification is not passive. It requires you to actively, repeatedly, sometimes moment by moment, say no to the sin that entangles you and easily trips you up and saying yes to the Holy Spirit's work in your life."

Prayer
Holy Spirit, I cannot do this on my own, and I am grateful I do not have to. Work in me today, and help me say yes to You in the moments when saying no to sin feels impossible. Amen.