WAR WITHIN! Conflicting principles are now found within us. We have a heavenly treasure in an earthly vessel, and the two are not at all compatible, even though they are, in a sense, together. It is written, "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. BUT we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us" (2 Cor. 4:6-7). The "treasure" is the transforming "light of the knowledge of the glory of God" – the "glory" that the Spirit employs to transform our persons (2 Cor 4:6). The "earthen vessels" are our bodies, which have been consigned to mortality. It should not take a doctor of the Law to see that a religion that majors on the body cannot possibly be anything but weak and frail. -- 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 14 of 23
In this condition – an eternal heavenly treasure in a temporal earthly vessel – it is not possible to be without the experience of fierce inner conflict and contradiction. That situation is the source of contradictory feelings, thoughts, and inclinations. Our "earthen vessel" struggles for dominance, and in its conflict with the "treasure" we have our warfare. The "treasure," like Abraham, is found in strange and hostile environment (Heb. 11:19). Both "light" and "darkness" exist in us, and a constant conflict is found between them.
The presence of these moral influences requires diligent effort to "walk as children of light" (Eph. 5:8). Light has no "communion" with darkness ( 2 Cor. 6:14). There is no place in which this lack of communion is as evident as it is within the believer himself. It becomes the source of incessant struggle. "Good and evil" wrestle within the reconciled one, struggling for the dominance (Rom. 7:15-23; 1 Cor. 15:33) – "good" within our spirits, and "evil" within our flesh.
The influence of one of these cannot be experienced without the influence of the other coming in to play. "Good" cannot be pursued without "evil" crying out for attention, and "evil" cannot become the focus of attention without "good" objecting. Two contrary voices crying simultaneously, demanding our allegiance.
"The Spirit" and the "flesh" have mutually antithetical desires, and make them known within the redeemed. This is why it is written, "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would" (Gal. 5:17). They "lust," or desire, against each other, pulling in opposite directions. Their contrariety is the cause of inner struggle and conflict.
The eternal and the temporal orders cry out for the attention of the saints. The sobering reality is that believers have the ability to behold them both – the increasing glory of Jesus' face, (2 Cor. 4:18), and the fading fashion of this world (1 Cor 7:31). This condition requires spiritual vigilance and diligence in the child of God. It is not possible to be passive or casual in this struggle, and still be found "accepted of Him" (2 Cor. 5:9). The presence of warring principles creates a "valley of decision" (Joel 3:14), and a decision will be made in that "valley."
There are an "old" and a "new" man within the saved. The "old" is to be subordinated and "put off" by the believer, and the "new" is to be "put on." There is no ambiguity on this point. "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Eph. 4:22-24). And again, "Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him" (Col 3:9-10). The source of all disruption, controversy, backsliding, falling, and retrogression is the "old man." Wherever spiritual retardation or lukewarmness is found, the "old man" has NOT been "put off." It really makes no difference what is professed by the one drawing back. Such a one has chosen to get on the broad road, which is the only road on which "the old man" can navigate.
The required vigilance cannot be accomplished without hearty effort on the part of the believer. Neither will it be achieved in assemblies of believers that do not contribute to their spiritual strength, but rather waste the time of the saints with intellectual novelties and musical trivia. The casual sharing of general information and news items, and indulging in philosophical talk will never give the saints an advantage in their warfare. The intellectual treatise of interesting subjects, historical analysis, and humorous anecdotes will not do it either.
Leaders who take the warfare seriously will feed the flock. Those who do not feed the flock should be discharged immediately, and without question. Eternal issues are at stake! A struggle between life and death rages in everyone who has believed and obeyed the Gospel. It is something in which you are involved. It has to do with eternal life and condemnation, and it was initiated by the introduction of spiritual life. Take it seriously. Demand that your soul be fed. If that is not happening where you are, leave, and do so without any apology whatsoever. Your survival is at stake.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, give me grace to stay in this race until the end.