Becoming And Being - Colossians 2:13-14

Colossians 2:13-14 ESV becoming and being 

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Colossians 3:5-6 ESV put to death 

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.

While we were dead in our trespasses, we were alive, but subject to death. Alive in body, dead in the spirit. Israel who had the law were dead because of the law as it revealed those trespasses. Those without the law were dead in their ignorance of the law and the covenant with God. 

The record has been cleared through God's intervention and our acceptance of His grace. 

Now we are alive to Him, Paul says we must do something. We are to put to death that which is earthly in us, for we are still in the flesh though awakened in the Spirit. The spirit is awakened, but the flesh remains. The inheritance of God belongs to the one who overcomes. Jesus makes a promise to the one who overcomes and that is the promise of everlasting life. 

If we live in Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit, He will do this thing if we walk in His light. Saying yes to Christ means following Him. He is the way and not just the end. Do not sit down along the path, but get up and journey with Him. 

We are attached to the vine but must bear fruit in keeping with the Spirit. Branches of the vine that do not bear fruit are removed and discarded. It is not a question of works, but one of becoming and being.