“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” - Romans 6:5

Death is not usually associated with good news, but in God’s kingdom, death often precedes life. Just as a seed must die to produce a plant, and Jesus had to die to purchase our salvation, we must die to ourselves to experience resurrection life.

I learned this lesson in a painful but powerful way several years ago. I had been struggling with pride in my ministry, always wanting recognition and credit for the good things happening in our church. God began to show me that my ego was actually hindering His work. I had to die to my need for applause so that His glory could shine through more clearly.

That death was not easy. It felt like losing part of my identity. But what I discovered on the other side was incredible freedom. When I no longer needed to protect my reputation or promote myself, I could focus completely on serving others and advancing God’s kingdom. The death of my pride led to the resurrection of authentic ministry.

Paul reminds us that when we are baptized, we are symbolically buried with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life. But this is not just a one-time event - it is a daily reality. Every day, we have opportunities to die to selfishness, pride, fear, and sin so that Christ’s life can be displayed through us.

What needs to die in your life so that Christ can live more fully through you? Maybe it is the need to always be right in arguments. Perhaps it is the fear that keeps you from taking risks for God. It could be the bitterness you have been holding onto or the habits that keep you bound.

The beautiful promise is that every death in the Christian life leads to greater life. When we die to sin, we come alive to righteousness. When we die to self, we come alive to service. When we die to the world’s values, we come alive to God’s purposes.

What is God calling you to die to so that you can experience more of His resurrection life?

Lord Jesus, thank You for showing me that death leads to life in Your kingdom. I surrender to You the things in my life that need to die - my pride, my fears, my selfish desires. Help me to embrace the daily dying that leads to abundant living. Unite me with You in both death and resurrection. In Your name, Amen.