Insecticide, pesticide, homicide, suicide, genocide; they all have something in common. That suffix at the end, “cide.” We put that at the end of things we put to death. Insecticide kills insects, for example. But there is a “cide” that has been softened in our language, decide. When we decide, we are choosing a path and killing all other options.
In Scripture, life is pictured in many ways; a battle in which we must stand firm, a hunt in which we must be watchful, a walk in which we must be wise, a garden in which we must sow the Spirit. Every illustration involves decision, and God is always telling us to choose life.
In Colossians 3 we are given many instructions about putting to death bad options and choosing life all centered around verse 17. “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Every little killing is by His authority. The chapter also tells us why we follow God’s path. Verses 1-4 tell us we put all other options to death because in Him we find life.
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. . . For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
We kill all other options because there is only one path that results in life. Romans 6:11 says “consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God.” Jesus says, in Luke 9:23-24, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” Decide to follow Christ today, the only choice that leads to life.