Galatians 5:17
“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh:
and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
It is clear from the Word of God and from the experience of every born-again sinner, that our flesh is what it has been from birth: sinful, corrupt and lustful. So long as we are in this life we can expect fleshly desires to work in us, through us and against us. “The flesh lusteth,” (literally: ‘“continually rages against the Spirit in angry passion”). The Good News is that it cannot condemn those for whom Christ died (Romans 8:1) .
Being born of the Spirit of God, Christ indwells us by His Spirit, giving life to our otherwise dead souls, and continually reconciles our hearts of enmity into agreement with the person and work of the LORD Jesus Christ. It was on our behalf that HE redeemed and justified us by His death on the cross. He makes us willing, in the day of His power (Psalm 110:3). His Grace reigns, reconciling our will to His and bringing us to believe Him Who died for us, and is ALL our righteousness (Philippians 2:13). The Spirit’s work is to reveal Him continually to our souls (John 15:26; 16:13) giving the grace of faith to believe on Him and rest in what He accomplished for sinners at Calvary.
Were it not for the indwelling Spirit of God leading, directing, ruling and overruling, the power of this flesh would lead us into condemnation. Just as the evil spirits did overtaking the swine when the demoniac was delivered. They brought them to destruction, running them into the water. We would be like helpless swine casting ourselves into the water and into certain death. Paul declares here, “...so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Elsewhere the apostle Paul declared as a regenerated sinner, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.” (Romans 7:18).
Since NO good thing dwells in me, it follows that the only righteousness I have is not one seated in me, but that ONE seated ABOVE in the person of the LORD Jesus. I was redeemed, justified and reconciled at the cross by Him, and now He ever lives to intercede for me, seated in Heaven (Hebrews 7:25). It is there that the Spirit of God continually turns our hearts, minds, and affections away from the flesh. Therefore, we set our affection on things above, NOT on things on the earth (Colossians 3:1-7).
Comentários