WAR WITHIN! From the experiential point of view, the basic law that governs the believer is "the law" of the renewed mind. Any conflicting inclination is "another law." It is also to be understood that any inclination or desire that competes against the basic law of the renewed mind is to be rejected, denied, repudiated, and mortified. For the sake of emphasis, let it be clear that when a person is born again a new way of thinking commences. The new creation (2 Cor 5:17) does have a particular mind-set, and it is present in all true believers.
"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 20 of 23
THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS IN SCRIPTURE, #4
THE BELIEVER'S BASIC LAW
Within his own personality Paul saw a part that was unjustified and unsanctified. There were proclivities against which he willingly strove. These tendencies are called "another law." This is Paul's way of disowning them. They do not really belong to him; they are only resident in his "members." They are not a part of his will. He does not prefer them; in fact, he abhors them. They are not the result of a personal quest, nor have they been cultured in a disciplined manner.
All that live by faith have the same experience. Because, however, many are unable to correctly identify it, the Apostle provides us with an illuminated view of the situation. The fact that the "saved" can speak in this way is proof that a fundamental change has taken place within them. The ungodly cannot be so described, because they are not in agreement with God. They do not have heavenly preferences, nor are they truly discontent with "this present evil world" (Gal. 1:4), and their "vile body" (Phil. 3:21).
THE CONSEQUENCE OF CONVERSION
The consequences of conversion are repeatedly declared in Scripture. They involve obtaining a new nature, thinking in a new manner, and living for a new reason. Where this newness does not exist, there has either been no new birth at all, or the person has departed from the faith, as the Spirit affirmed "some" would do (1 Tim 4:1). Here are a few of the blessed consequences of conversion.
1. THINGS ARE NOT VIEWED THE SAME. "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).
2. TRUE HOLINESS AND RENEWED IN KNOWLEDGE. "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is CREATED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUE HOLINESS . . . And have put on the new man, which is RENEWED IN KNOWLEDGE after the image of him that created him" (Eph 4:24; Col 3:10).
3. CRUCIFYING THE FLESH. "And they that are Christ's HAVE CRUCIFIED THE FLESH with the affections and lusts" (Gal 5:24).
4. DEAD TO SIN, AND ALIVE TO GOD. "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be DEAD INDEED UNTO SIN, but ALIVE UNTO GOD through Jesus Christ our Lord . . . "For ye are DEAD, and your life is HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD" (Rom 6:11; Col 3:3).
5. THE BASIC CONSTITUTION CHANGED. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom. And such were some of you: but ye are WASHED, but ye are SANCTIFIED, but ye are JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor 6:9-11).
6. HEARTS ARE PURIFIED. "And put no difference between us and them, PURIFYING their hearts by faith" (Acts 15:9).
It is not possible to be born again and these things NOT occur. It is not possible to be "saved" and these things NOT happen. It is not possible for a person to receive Christ without these things becoming a reality.
Paul refers to the basic, or fundamental operating principle within the believer as "the law of my mind." This law became a reality when you were born again (1 Pet 1:23), baptized into Christ (Gal 3:27), added to the church (Acts 2:47), and were "created in Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:10). The day you were put into Christ by God (1 Cor 1:30), were "made accepted in the Beloved" (Eph 1:6), and "turned" to God to serve Him and wait for His Son from heaven (1 Thess 1:9), you obtained, what Paul referred to as, "the law of my mind." You received a fundamental propensity to the Lord, a driving desire for His Word, a longing for purity, and a desire to be with Him in glory. You thought differently about the Lord, yourself, the Word of God, and the world. There was a strong inclination heavenward, and a certain delight in the things of God.
That is how everyone starts out in Christ Jesus – everyone! No one begins "newness of life" in a defiled state, in love with the world, or fundamentally selfish – no one!
A war also began at that time – a war between good and evil, righteousness and unrighteousness, and the law of your mind and "another law" that was in your members. When you are born again, "the law of your mind" is the BASIC, or primary one. It is the one that directs your life.
Spiritual life is of such a nature as demands one to constantly yield to the right law – the law the renewed mind. This requires diligence, vigilance, and perseverance. Blessed is the person who sees this, and continues to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life (1 Tim 6:12).
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, give me grace to always be sensitive to the law of my mind, and always reject the other law that is in my members.
-- Tomorrow: