WEDNESDAY July 29, 2020
Warring Members
I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 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.
Romans 7:21-23
Paul continued to describe the spiritual warfare he experienced. He desired to please God, but his flesh hindered him from pleasing God in any way. It is the same with us. Our inward man desires to be spiritual, but the flesh is always there trying to take rule. I want to obey, but I do not––sad.
When temptation presents itself to us, the battle between the spirit and flesh becomes obvious. We have an opportunity to obey God and to please Him, but we often yield to the temptation instead. Our flesh is such a hindrance to us. If we yield to our flesh and go right ahead and obey it, then we can expect to reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). Know that there are always consequences to sin. A life of sin will destroy you, but a life of obedience to God’s Word will bring blessings.
Yes, Christians have to live in this life, in a battle against their sinful flesh that always tries to bring them down, but they have an inner man who is alive and controlled by the Holy Spirit. With the help of the Holy Spirit, a Christian can live a life of obedience––a life where they can die to self as they say to themselves: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13), “…it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Seriously, present your life to God (Romans 12:1-2), and lay down your will.
Obedience is not only the touchstone of all progress in the Christian life, it is our only safe course.
~James Philip~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!