24 lines
4.8 KiB
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24 lines
4.8 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">February 26</div></div>
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<h2>The Contrary Desires of the Flesh and the Spirit</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>For the <b>flesh</b> lusts <b>against</b> the <b>Spirit</b>, and the <b>Spirit against</b> the <b>flesh</b>; and these are <b>contrary</b> to one another, so that <b>you do not do</b> the things that you wish.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gal',5,17);">Galatians 5:17</a>)</div>
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<p>Every believer in Christ has had the frustrating experience of wanting to do what pleases the Lord, but being unable to actually accomplish such. We are told here that a spiritual struggle is behind that failure. <i>"For the <b>flesh</b> lusts against the <b>Spirit</b>, and the <b>Spirit</b> against the <b>flesh</b>."</i> The Spirit of God dwells within our lives. He is the <i>"Spirit of <b>holiness</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',1,4);">Romans 1:4</a>). He desires that we be <i>"<b>partakers</b> of His <b>holiness</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hbr',12,10);">Hebrews 12:10</a>) and thereby walk in godliness. However, the flesh (natural humanity) is also present in our lives. The natural desires of man are not toward holiness, but rather toward self-indulgence and self-sufficiency. Thus, what the Spirit desires and what our flesh craves are set against each other. <i>"These are <b>contrary</b> to one another."</i> The consequence of this internal conflict is <i>"that <b>you do not do</b> the things that you wish."</i> Even though godly desires develop in us as new creatures in Christ, we find ourselves unable to implement these new longings by our good intentions.</p>
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<p>The Apostle Paul gave testimony to his own failure in this battle. <i>"For the <b>good</b> that I <b>will</b> to do, I do <b>not</b> do; but the <b>evil</b> I will <b>not</b> to do, <b>that</b> I practice"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',7,19);">Romans 7:19</a>). The problem was that Paul's personal resources (the flesh) were not adequate to produce the desired results. <i>"For I know that in <b>me</b> (that is, in my <b>flesh</b>) <b>nothing</b> good dwells; for to <b>will</b> is present with me, but <b>how to perform</b> what is good I do <b>not</b> find"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',7,18);">Romans 7:18</a>). Yes, Paul had some godly desires. <i>"For I <b>delight</b> in the law of God according to the <b>inward</b> man"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',7,22);">Romans 7:22</a>). Nevertheless, there was a problem that he could not resolve on his own. <i>"But I see <b>another</b> law in <b>my</b> members, <b>warring against</b> the law of my mind, and <b>bringing me into captivity</b> to the law of sin which is in my members"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',7,23);">Romans 7:23</a>). A tendency to sin that dwelt in Paul's human members (his body, his brain) pulled him down to defeat. He needed help.</p>
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<p>Access to that necessary divine rescue was through a <b>humble cry</b> for a <b>deliverer</b>. <i>"O <b>wretched</b> man that <b>I</b> am! <b>Who</b> will <b>deliver</b> me from this body of death?"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',7,24);">Romans 7:24</a>). This appropriate confession of the spiritual bankruptcy of his flesh led to another confession of certain victory. <i>"I thank God</i>—[it is] <b><i>through Jesus Christ</i></b> <i>our Lord!"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',7,25);">Romans 7:25</a>). This humble turning from self to Christ allows one to walk in the Spirit, living by His victorious resources. <i>"For the law of the <b>Spirit</b> of <b>life</b> in Christ Jesus has made me <b>free</b> from the law of sin and death"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',8,2);">Romans 8:2</a>).</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear Jesus, Mighty Deliverer, I humbly admit that I am not able to implement by my best efforts the godly desires that are developing in me. I need You, Lord. So many times I have had holy intentions that ended up in carnal defeat. So, Lord, I cry out to You to deliver me from my present struggles, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, Amen.</div>
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