Slaying our own resurrection
For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, (Romans 8:13-NIV)
Paul, to whom are you speaking?
"To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints, obviously. Didn't I make myself clear in the first chapter?"
Paul, what are you saying to us in Rome whom God loves and who are called to be saints?
"I am telling you that if you live according to your sinful nature you will die."
Do you mean if we live according to our sinful nature we will die physically?
"You fool, you are going to die physically no matter how you live. What a stupid question!"
Please don't get excited. We are having a hard time figuring out what you mean.
"If you will read the preceding verses you will understand what I mean. I told you your body is dead because of sin but your inward nature is alive because God has ascribed righteousness to it. Then I wrote that if God's Spirit is living in you He plans on making your dead body alive in the future by His Spirit that is in you. This is the resurrection from the dead, our central hope.
"But if you insist on living according to your sinful nature the spiritual life that is in you will dwindle away. You will run out of oil, according to the Lord's parable. Then there will be no eternal life in you to make alive your body. You will lose your chance at eternal life and immortality! You will destroy your own resurrection by your conduct. You will have no white robe with which to clothe yourself.
"I told the Galatians the same thing, that if they insist on sowing to their flesh they are going to reap corruption, not eternal life."
Paul, we have been taught that no matter what we do we cannot lose our eternal life.
"Why don't you read my epistle again, particularly the sixth chapter of my letter to the saints in Rome. It sounds like people are taking your crown!"