we know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. [romans 6:6]
when i read this verse that “our old [self/man/anthropos] …might be brought to nothing” my mind immediately goes to one of my favorite entries in the valley of vision, “man a nothing” (click to follow the link to be directed to the entry–it will be worth your time to meditate on today!)
the entry begins with,
“o Lord, I am a shell full of dust–”
it is the reality of our broken, decaying reality–our old man is wasting away, and while we do everything we can to comfort him, soothe him and bring him pleasure in this life, he will die, taking nothing with him. it is a fool’s errand to keep him alive–he must be crucified in order to bear fruit!
truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. [john 12:24]
the ending paragraph of “man a nothing” says:
take away my roving eye, curious ear, greedy
appetite, lustful heart;
show me that none of these things
can heal a wounded conscience,
or support a tottering frame,
or uphold a departing spirit.
then take me to the cross
and leave me there.
o Lord! crucify our flesh so our sin might be brought to nothing!
~ conor eastman