THE SPIRIT WRESTLE AGAINST THE FLESH
This War Didn’t Exist Before the New Birth, we’ve got into the battlefield at the moment of salvation.
(Galatians 5:17)
"For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want."
It’s not about perfection it’s about repentance…
(1 John 1:10)
"If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us."
I received an statement the other day saying that even the gentiles who doesn't have the law can live a life without sin because they have the Law of God written in their hearts, it's a lie, in this text about the Gentiles, Paul is building a case that those without the Law of Moses (the Gentiles) are inexcusable just as the Jews who have the Law of Moses (written code).
(Romans 2:14-15)
“Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them".
Texts have context
Just because the Scriptures say that we must be holy as the Father is Holy it doesn't mean we can or have the strength to do it, God through the Holy Spirit gives us the strength to resist temptation, strive against sin, and also to repent when we happen to sin, it's not being without sin, but fighting against it.
The new birth is God's way to give us life in Jesus Christ, in the conversation our Lord had at night with Nicodemus, He said to him.
(John 3:6)
"You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again."
John when talking about the salvation we have in Jesus said:
(John 1:12-13)
"To those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God".
How does this happen? According to Jesus it’s a mystery.
(John 3:8)
"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
So basically what all these texts are saying is, God gives us life.
(Ephesians 2:4-5)
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
In Galatians 5:17 Paul says that it’s what happens when the Spirit comes and dwells in us, "the flesh wrestles against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh, so we do not do what we want", this war didn’t exist inside of us before the new birth. Nobody is seeking for God or striving against sin until God gives them the gift of life through the new birth. When the new birth happens, you not only fight against sin, but you repent and confess when you sin.
(1 John 1:8-9)
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Glory be to God. Amen.
Gezer Carlos Freitas, Theologian from Charles Surgeon School of Theology.
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