STRUGGLES WITHIN -- Monday:
"I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me" (Romans 7:21)
Faith brings the capacity for reciprocity with heaven. 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 (John 17:3; 1 John 5:20).
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.
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). 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).
"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, as well as our many sorrows.
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 became "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 (Luke 23:29). Unlike the penitent thief, however, the flesh cannot and will not change. It requires diligent effort to "walk as children of light" (Eph. 5:8). Light has no "communion" with darkness ( 2 Cor. 6:14). No place is this lack of communion as evident as it is within the believer. It becomes the source of an incessant struggle between the flesh and the Spirit, the old and the new man.
"Good and evil" wrestle within the reconciled, struggling for the dominance (Rom. 7:15-23; 1 Cor. 15:33). The influence of one of these cannot be experienced without the influence of the other. "Good" cannot be pursued without "evil" crying for attention, and "evil" cannot become the focus of attention without "good" objecting. Two contrary voices cry simultaneously, demanding our allegiance.
"The Spirit" and the "flesh" have mutually antithetical desires, and make them known within the redeemed (Gal. 5:17). They "lust" against each other, pulling in opposite directions. Their contrariety is the cause of inner struggle and conflict. Thus 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).
The eternal and the temporal orders cry out for the attention of the saints. The sobering reality is that believers have the ability to hear and yield to both (2 Cor. 4:18). 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).
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" (Eph. 4:22-24). This cannot be accomplished without hearty effort on the part of the believer. The casual sharing of general information and news items will never give the saints an advantage in their warfare. Intellectual treatises of interesting subjects, historical analyses, and humorous anecdotes will not do it either. Leaders who take the warfare seriously will feed the flock. Those who do not 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.
We are living in two conflicting worlds simultaneously. The "world to come" (Heb. 2:5) and "this present evil world" (Gal. 1:4).
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for revealing why Your children have struggles within.