EXPERIENCING THE DYING AND LIVING OF JESUS The word "dichotomous" refers to something divided into two parts – in this case, two contradicting parts. Both of these parts are housed within our bodies, which, together with the mind, are arenas of fierce competition and warfare. -- Tomorrow:
"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you." (2 Cor 4:8-12)
Devotion 2 of 26
When this facet of spiritual life is not known, all manners of confusion breaks forth upon both heart and mind. The individual who is in Christ finds unwanted competing thoughts coming into his mind – thoughts with which he is forced to contend. He did not ask for them, and they actually contradict his heart's desire. Yet, they are there, and often in a very powerful and distracting way. These are Satan's "fiery darts," hurled as us to infect our minds and pollute our affections. They are, in fact, temptations – the attempt of Satan to make sin attractive.
This inner warfare is insightfully expounded in Romans 7:14-25. In order to better prepare for the text before us, I will briefly review this marvelous explanatory text.
ROMANS 7:14-25
In this Romans passage Paul provides a personal testimony, confirming the nature of spiritual life – in much the same way as he does in the text we are reviewing. He delineates a circumstance over which he has no power – in Romans, it is the intrusion of evil thoughts. The sphere in which the intrusion occurs is the mind, where "lusts," or illicit desires, first invade our persons. Thus James writes, "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death" (James 1:15). Note, the sin does not occur until the lust is entertained and translated into some form of willing action.
In Roman seven, Paul confirms that there was an aspect of evil that he could not control. This did not have to do with expression in words of deeds, but with intruding thoughts. He thus concludes, "I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin" (7:14, NASB). That is, as long as he was in the body, sin in its enticing mode, found a place where it could enter and attempt to draw him into iniquity.
Paul's explanation of the condition makes clear that his essential person did not want or entertain these thoughts. Further, this was not an area with borders of logic or reasonableness. The contradiction he was experiencing defied ordinary reasoning. "For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate" (Rom 7:15, NASB). The Apostle wisely concludes from this that he actually agrees with the law of God, not the "the law of sin" which is in our members. "But if I do the very thing I do not wish to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that it is good" (Rom 7:16, NASB). The fact that this situation caused him grief confirmed it was not an expression of his fundamental nature. Therefore, he concludes, "So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which indwells me" (Rom 7:17).
Paul identifies the source of the trouble as his "flesh" – the "earthen vessel" of our text. "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not" (Rom 7:18, NASB). That is, he could not perfectly and consistently carry out the desires of his heart without confronting these competing and unwanted thoughts. "I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wishes to do good" (Rom 7:21, NASB). There was "another law," or principle, at work in his "members," or fleshly body. That deviate "law" was forcing him to deal with things he actually hated. Yet, he could not successfully bar the intrusion of those competing thoughts.
This is something of what is involved in having the "treasure" of the knowledge of the glory of God in an earthen vessel. The whole situation emphasizes our inherent weakness as well as the Savior's supernal strength. This is all by design, in order that we might learn more fully and consistently that our salvation is wholly of the Lord.
Now Paul will show some other liabilities that are introduced by remaining "in the body" or having "this treasure" in an "earthen vessel." This "vessel" condition has put a part of us within the reach of our enemies. It has, in a sense, made us vulnerable. From a still higher point of view, it has made us dependent upon our blessed Lord. However far we may think we have advanced in the faith, we are not yet beyond reach of trouble, perplexity, persecution, and being knocked down!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You that after You have caused me to be dependent upon You, I find You are a very present Help in the time of trouble.