He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (2 Corinthians 5:15)
There is a war raging all around us. We fight against two powerful enemies: the world and the devil, both of which are working tirelessly to lure us away from Jesus, and the battle is fierce. But we also contend against an even more ferocious and relentless opponent — not just daily, but moment by moment. We fight with ourselves. Every day we wage the war within against the desires of our sinful nature. Once we are in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, our new nature in Christ is in constant combat with the old nature in our flesh (Galatians 5:17).
The new nature and the old are bitter enemies; they are diametrically opposed to each other. They battle to win control of our hearts, and the prize is to sit upon the throne of our lives. No one understood this battle better than the apostle Paul, who readily admitted, “I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” (Romans 7:18-20).
Let me be clear about what Paul was not saying; he was not saying, “The devil made me do it!” He was not making an excuse for his sinful behavior. Paul knew that Satan is a defeated enemy who was forever vanquished by the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanks to Jesus, Satan no longer reigns, but he still remains.
What Paul was saying is that the battle for control that rages deep inside every human heart will never be won in our strength. The enemy is too powerful and remorselessly focused on winning, which is why we must rely totally on the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to give us victory. Our new nature in Christ and our old sinful nature are unequally yoked and cannot agree on anything; therefore we must choose, moment by moment, which nature we will satisfy.
Remember, each day you will look to something to give your life meaning, significance, and purpose. Each day you will attach your identity to something in order to find joy and happiness. If that “something” is anything smaller than Jesus, it will inevitably leave you empty and wanting. Only when you are looking to Jesus and leaning totally on Him will you be able to win the war within and experience the abundant life Jesus has offered.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 