The Bible often says two things that sound contradictory:
- “You have died with Christ.” (Colossians 3:3)
- “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you.” (Colossians 3:5)
So which is it? Have we already died, or do we still need to die?
The Finality of Death in Christ
Romans 6:10 makes it clear: “The death that He died, He died to sin once for all.” When we believed in Christ, His death became our death. Spiritually speaking, the old self was crucified. That chapter of our biography closed.
This means the “dying process” is not something we must continually perform on ourselves. We are not spiritual suicides, trying to kill the old self day after day. That death already happened at the cross.
Why Then “Put to Death”?
If the old self is gone, why does Paul still tell us to “put to death” certain things (Colossians 3:5)? The answer lies in the renewal of the mind.
Our hearts have been made new. We are righteous and alive to God. But our thinking still carries echoes of the old way of life. That’s why sin feels tempting—it’s not because sin owns us, but because we haven’t fully renewed our minds to the truth of who we are.
Paul doesn’t say to crucify yourself again. He says to put to death the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13). Sin is no longer a master—it’s a choice. The flesh is not your identity, it’s a mindset.
Works of the Flesh vs. Fruit of the Spirit
Notice the wording: Paul calls sin the “works of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19). Works require effort. They are forced. By contrast, righteousness is described as the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22). Fruit is natural, flowing, effortless.
That means when you sin, you are acting out of step with your true self. Sin is not the overflow of your new heart—it’s the leftover residue of an old mindset.
A Picture From Better Call Saul
There’s a powerful illustration in Better Call Saul. Chuck, Jimmy’s brother, believes he suffers from a disease where exposure to electricity harms him. In a dramatic court scene, Jimmy secretly slips a phone battery into Chuck’s jacket. Chuck feels nothing until Jimmy reveals it later.
Chuck was convinced the battery controlled him—but in reality, it had no power over him. The influence was all in his mind.
That’s how sin works for the believer. Sin feels strong, but its control is an illusion. The cross stripped it of authority. We are free. What remains is a battle of belief: will we trust the truth, or live as if sin still rules?
Reckon Yourselves Dead to Sin
Paul says: “Reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11). That word reckon means to count it as true, to calculate, to live accordingly.
The reality is:
- You have died with Christ (Colossians 3:3).
- Therefore, you put to death sin’s deeds (Colossians 3:5) because they don’t belong to you anymore.
This is not about killing yourself spiritually. It’s about living out the truth of who you already are.
The Takeaway
Christian, you are not two people. You are not half old self, half new self. You are one new creation in Christ. Sin has no authority over you.
So when you “put to death” sin, you are not finishing the cross—you are walking in its victory. You are refusing to let lies define you, and choosing to live in the freedom of your resurrection life.
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