Texting Hallelujah!

Is the Old You Still in Charge?

You’re not becoming someone new—you’re learning to live like the old you is already dead.

It’s one thing to celebrate that Jesus died and rose again—it’s another thing to realize what that means for you.

The Apostle Paul makes it clear:

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:3, ESV).

This baptism isn’t just symbolism—it’s identity.

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

For those who call Jesus “Lord,” when He died, your old self died with Him—and when He rose, you were raised to walk in new life with Him.

But many of us don’t live that way.

We still respond like the old person we used to be. Old habits. Old reactions. Old patterns of thinking. It’s as if nothing has changed—even though everything has. And we excuse our behavior by saying, “It’s a small thing, I can always change later.”

Paul continues:

“We know that our old self was crucified with him… so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin” (Romans 6:6).

This is not a suggestion—it’s a declaration: If you are in Christ, sin is no longer your master.

Let’s say it plainly: If you’ve been crucified with Christ but refuse to live in newness of life, you’re like someone walking around in burial clothes—alive, but still dressed for the grave.

Christian, your old self was crucified with Christ! You may still struggle—but you are no longer bound. You may still feel the pull—but you are no longer defined by it.

So why do we keep living as if we are?

Because we forget who we are. Paul gives the answer in one word—do you see it?

“So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11).

Here’s the one word: Consider. Count it true. Live from that reality.

This is where faith becomes daily life. You don’t fight sin to become new—you fight from the fact that you are already new.

You don’t earn a new identity—you live out the new one Christ has already given you.

The resurrection is not a solo experience. It’s not just something Jesus experienced—it’s something you now participate in.

Today, stop living like your old self is still in charge. Consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God—and take one step that reflects who you now are in Christ.

Part of the Easter reflection series: Living in the Reality of the Risen Christ.

• Monday: Forgetting His power
• Tuesday: Misunderstanding His Word
• Wednesday: Demanding proof
• Thursday: Restored to love and purpose
• Friday: Living a new identity