WAR WITHIN! Faith brings the capacity for reciprocity with heaven – a favorable and life-sustaining response. This is described in various ways in Scripture. It is being "called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor. 1:9). It is also referred to as "the communion of the Holy Spirit" (2 Cor. 13:14), and being "joined to the Lord" (1 Cor. 6:17). This is "eternal life," which consists of the spiritual knowledge of "the only true God, and Jesus Christ" whom He has sent. Jesus referred to this when He prayed, "As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should GIVE ETERNAL LIFE to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THEE the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent (John 17:2-3). 1 John 5:20). This is a familiarity and involvement with God that brings an acquaintance with Him and His ways, thereby enabling a recognition of the Lord and His works, and a great delight with His presence. -- Tomorrow:
"But I see another law in my members, WARRING against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members" (Rom 7:23).
Devotion 13 of 23
NEW LIFE INTRODUCED
The introduction of this new life is glorious. We have become "partakers of the Divine nature" (2 Pet. 1:4), as well as "partakers of Christ" (Heb. 3:14). God has "sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts" (Gal. 4:6), as a pledge of future glory. Our personal involvement in the process is set forth in the new covenant promise, "I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them" (Heb. 10:16). This describes a very real inclination toward, and preference for, the will of God. The absence of this in much of the religion of our day is cause for great alarm.
From within, "the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us" (Rom. 5:5). Thus are we empowered to love God with all of the heart, soul, mind, and strength, fulfilling the law of God (Matt. 22:37). This inward work results in the possession of a "sound mind," capable of distinguishing both good and evil (2 Tim. 1:7).
The new birth is not a metaphor, as some would have us believe. An actual transformation has taken place. We have been united with Christ, and are now indwelt by Deity (John 14:34; Rom. 8:9,11; 2 Cor 6:16; Eph. 2:17). Being "joined to the Lord," we have become "one spirit" with Him (1 Cor 6:17).
However, our rebirth did not eradicate the old nature. It will remain with us until we are "absent from the body" (2 Cor. 5:6-9). "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17). This does not mean that the old nature has passed away – it has not! The capacity to sin remains with us. The person in Christ still is tempted, "drawn away of his own lust, and enticed" (James 1:14). Old things "have passed away" in that they are no longer loved and preferred. We are being oriented for heaven, where "no unclean thing" can enter (Eph. 5:5).
From this perspective, conflict within may be viewed from two perspectives. First, Satan is attempting to remove our appetite for spiritual things, and increase our appetite for the passing things of this world. Second, the Holy Spirit is culturing a penchant for things that are eternal. This will allow us to make the transition to glory without any trauma. God does not intend our induction into eternity to be abrasive.
"All things" have become "new" due to spiritual perspective and appetite. We are looking for "new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (2 Pet. 3:13-14). That prospect has made everything "new." Yet, while we occupy the realm of sense and time, proclivities to evil remain in us. We are not content with this condition. Its presence accounts for all of our setbacks, shortcoming, and insensitivities.
The reason for the struggle is the introduction of heavenly life! As soon as the "new" came, the first was made "old." This is the principle revealed in the old and new covenants (Heb. 8:13). It is not only true of the covenants, it is also true of man's nature. Our Adamic nature become "old" when we "received" Christ (John 1:12) and the "Spirit of adoption" (Rom. 8:15). At this point, the conflict began! The Divine life, now in "the sons of God" (1 John 3:1) requires the crucifixion of "that which is born of flesh" (John 3:6). Though crucified, however, the "flesh" remains adamant and expressive, like the impenitent thief with whom Jesus was crucified. Unlike the penitent thief, however, the flesh cannot and will not change (Luke 23:40-42). Notwithstanding, it does a lot of squawking, even from the cross – just like the impenitent thief: "And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us" (Luke 23:39). However, just as the thief, the "flesh," of "old man," cannot do anything while he is on the cross.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the newness of life. Even though I now experience conflict within, I ask for grace to walk in the Spirit, not the flesh.