Unless It Dies
New life begins where the old has been buried.
Devotional Credit: Days of Heaven on Earth by A.B. Simpson
Photo Credit: Unsplash
God has woven the pattern of death and resurrection into the very fabric of nature and redemption. A.B. Simpson reflects on how this truth is not just theological but deeply experiential: in the butterfly breaking from its cocoon, in the seed surrendering to the soil, in the winter making way for spring. These everyday images mirror a deeper reality—true spiritual life only comes through death.
The Cross of Christ is not just the source of our salvation; it is the daily rhythm of transformation. Where there is death to self, there is room for Christ’s life to rise. The deeper we allow the Spirit to put to rest the self-centered remnants of our former nature, the more freely Christ can be expressed through us—fragrant, fruitful, and full of resurrection life. The call is gentle but firm: wherever we see remnants of the old self-life, we need not wrestle to change it—just release it. Let it fall. Let it die. The harvest is His.
✨ Personalized Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit
Let Me show you where real life flows. It will never come through striving to improve what has already been crucified. The life I offer rises not from your effort but from your surrender. You were crucified with Christ—your old self is no longer your identity. I do not ask you to fix the flesh, only to yield to Me and let it go.
Wherever you see selfish ambition, old patterns of control, or fear clinging to your heart, don’t try to prune them back—release them fully. These are not flaws to improve but remnants to bury. For unless that kernel falls, it abides alone. But if it dies, oh, how rich the fruit that follows. My life in you is resurrection life—it blooms only from what has died.
Do not be afraid of this death, for it is not an end, but a doorway to abundance. I am your life now. Let the former things pass away, and you will find yourself walking in the fragrance of My presence, spreading My life like blossoms in spring.
Scripture References: John 12:24, Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:6, 2 Corinthians 2:14–16, Colossians 3:3–4
🍞 Real-Life Analogy
It’s like the stale food in the back of the fridge. You keep telling yourself you’ll do something with it, but it’s lost its value and purpose. Until it’s thrown out, there’s no room for anything new. But once it’s cleared away, the space is open, ready for something nourishing, something alive. Your heart is not meant to be cluttered with expired things. Let them go—and make room for My life.
🙏 Prayer of Confidence
Father, I rejoice that the self-centered life has already died with Christ and no longer defines me. I recognize the old thoughts and patterns not as who I am, but as leftovers from a life I no longer live. Thank You that in their place, You’ve poured out resurrection life. I rest in the truth that I am a vessel of Your fragrance today—alive not to myself, but to God. Wherever You bring dying, I trust You are already bringing fruit.