Moment of Meditation: Death Sentence (Colossians 3:5)

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:
sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire,
and covetousness, which is idolatry.
(Colossians 3:5)

Death Sentence

The death sentence is a subject that still divides Americans and Christians. Should we have such a stiff penalty, even for horrible crimes? Do we have the right to impose such a penalty? I'm not going to answer those questions this morning. I'm going to talk about the death sentence that each Christian should put his or her self under.

John Calvin writes, "Another benefit of baptism is, that it shows us our mortification in Christ and new life in him. ... [W]e are admonished by baptism, in like manner as Christ died, to die to our lusts, and as he rose, to rise to righteousness ... so those who receive baptism with true faith truly feel the efficacy of Christ’s death in the mortification of their flesh, and the efficacy of his resurrection in the quickening of the Spirit" (Institutes of the Christian Religion 4.15.5).

This is the daily work of sanctification being done through us by the Holy Spirit. He brings us back to the remembrance of our Baptism as we daily put off the old man and put on the new man "created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24). This cannot be done unless we put our evil desires to death. That death comes through Baptism and our daily remembrance of it. Take a moment to thank God for bringing you to Baptism and putting to death your sinful desires. Amen.