Dead to Sin

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Strip off every weight that slows us down - what is weighing you down today? Some of the things slowing us down are attitudes, frustrations, pride - these are seemingly "little" things that eventually cause you to blow up and overreact because they are weighing you down - these are sins that so easily trip us up. They are designed to slowly distract us and pull us away from our first love. We must be dead to sin and alive in Christ! Romans 6:1-7 (NKJV) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Are you dead yet?! If you haven't died to sin now is a great time, especially before the holidays! It's time to sow seeds or righteousness! Show love to your friends, neighbors, co-workers, family, and your enemies. Even when it hurts, love them! Be intentional! Galatians 6:7-10 (TPT) God will never be mocked! For what you plant will always be the very thing you harvest. The harvest you reap reveals the seed that you planted. If you plant the corrupt seeds of self-life into this natural realm, you can expect a harvest of corruption. If you plant the good seeds of Spirit-life you will reap beautiful fruits that grow from the everlasting life of the Spirit. And don’t allow yourselves to be weary in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming! Take advantage of every opportunity to be a blessing to others, Especially to our brothers and sisters in the family of faith! Be a blessing to others, the simple things matter. A card in the mail, an invite to dinner, picking up essential groceries + vitamins, driving someone home, etc. If you spent half the amount of time planning ways and following through with ways to bless people as you do scrolling through social media or news reports, you would shift so much in your life! Allow your joy to be contagious! Be dead to sin and alive in Christ!