DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE CONFLICT

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE CONFLICT

"For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice but what I hate, that I do. If then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, that I practice." (Romans 7:14-18)

Perhaps you have not had this struggle, but I have this conflict between my flesh and my spirit. But I suspect that is a common problem. This has been a conundrum that has plagued me personally all my Christian life. I know what is right, but my flesh wants to do what is wrong. And I end up doing what the flesh wants. I know that I am not a slave to sin because I am a bond-servant to Jesus. Still, the struggle wages.

This I know: that the flesh is enmity with God (Romans 8:7). Even though I am a Believer and the Spirit of God dwells in me, still the flesh keeps rearing its ugly head. I find myself doing or thinking things that I know are not God's ways and thoughts. In my flesh dwells nothing that is good.

What was Paul's answer? First was the power of the Lord Jesus in his life. "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God – through Jesus Christ our Lord! " (vs. 24). Our victory is in Jesus.

Another part of the answer lies in chapter 8. Remember that chapter division were inserted by humans, and were not a part of the original letter. So chapter 8 continues the thought of chapter 7. The Apostle goes on to say that "there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (8:1). Our position in Christ insures that we are not living in condemnation because we live positionally in Christ and in His righteousness even though at times we fail.

Another part of the answer is that "those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit" (8:5). In our focus verses, Paul had a desire to live righteously. Setting my mind on righteous living leads to righteous living. It is where my heart is pointed, just like the set of the sails on a ship that is set on a certain course. My desire is to live according to the spirit rather than according to the flesh, and God knows my heart.

I may not be completely successful but I have set the direction of my heart to live according to God's righteousness. There is no condemnation when I purpose to walk according to the spirit. God knows the direction of my heart, and I live in His freedom.

Love, Dad