Our passage from Romans 8 reveals the surprising truth that new life comes through death. Through Christ’s death and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we move from the realm of the flesh (death) into the realm of the Spirit (life and peace). This means daily dying to sin by the Spirit, putting to death the misdeeds of the body, and the confident hope of future resurrection. Far more than external appearances, following Jesus is an inner transformation as God dwells in us and reshapes our lives. God's word calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and walk with the Spirit into true freedom and joy.