As soon as a sinner has been born again by the Holy Spirit, he finds himself in conflict. When in and of the world, all was smooth, but when he became a Christian, he found many elements opposing. Now, the question is, What is the Christian’s proper conflict? The Scriptures speak of three: They are Romans 7:14-2414For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (Romans 7:14‑24), Galatians 5:1717For 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. (Galatians 5:17) and Ephesians 6:1212For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12). Let us then look at each of these conflicts and see which is the proper one for the true child of God.
The Conflict of Romans 7
In the well-known conflict of Romans 7, we have a believer with strong desires after holiness, but instead, we find he is doing the very opposite. He is compelled to say, “The good that I would I do not, but the evil which I would not, that I do” (vs. 19). Can it be the mind of God that this should be the experience of His children? Surely not, for God would have us rejoice evermore — to have peace with Him and liberty in the Holy Spirit. All may have to pass through this Romans 7 experience, sooner or later, but not to continue in it.
The first step will be to ascertain who or what are in conflict. Verse 14 shows us that, on the one hand, we have the law, which is just and good, while “I am carnal, sold under sin.” Bring together these two, and what will be the result? Conflict. How can that which is carnal do that which is spiritual? The law, while it makes its demands, does not give me power to meet them, and I have no power of my own. What is to be done?
The thought of bringing the law of God down to our level is absurd, but can I bring myself up to the level of the law of God? No, for “the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death” (Rom. 7:55For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. (Romans 7:5)). From this and other scriptures, we learn that the object of law is to bring out man’s sinfulness. But again, the law is our schoolmaster unto Christ (Gal. 3:2424Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:24)), and therefore it has something to teach — that “in me, (that is, in my flesh), dwelleth no good thing” (Rom. 7:1818For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (Romans 7:18)). There can be no real deliverance — no settled peace—until I have learned that there is no good in me at all and that I have no power to produce any. Then, having thus learned myself, Christ comes in and reveals Himself to me as my wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.
Seeing, then, we carnal creatures cannot make ourselves spiritual — the question once more arises, What is to be done? Well, if two persons are walking together and they cannot agree, the only thing is to separate and each go his own way alone. This is just the argument of the apostle in Romans 7:11Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? (Romans 7:1): “The law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth.” Many years ago, in London, England, a murder was committed, and the police secured the man who no doubt was guilty, but they did not take him to prison, nor yet before the magistrate. The simple reason why they so acted was because the man had committed suicide — he was dead. It was no use to bring him for trial; all they could do with him was to bury him. The law is powerful enough so long as a man lives, but it is powerless when the man is dead.
In Romans 6:66Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6) we read, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him [Christ], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Our old man — what we are as children of Adam — has been crucified with Christ. Now the believer is entitled to reckon himself dead with Christ (Rom. 6:1111Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:11)). After we have confessed that there is nothing good in us, this is the great truth that we need to learn — that we are dead as before God — no longer in the flesh (that is, our evil nature). As to the old Adam, we are set aside, as before God, and we have no longer any standing before God in Adam, our first parent. I repeat the words “before God,” because while we are crucified and dead with Christ, yet we, in our experience, find the flesh still with us, but then we are to “reckon it dead.”
This He did by raising Christ from the dead as the last Adam — the Head of the new creation. Grace has come by Jesus Christ; it gives a new nature and a power to glorify God in bringing forth much fruit. We are not under law, but under grace (Rom. 6:1414For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14)). We who believe in Christ have died with Him, and therefore the law cannot touch us, but the law has never yet been set aside. It is we who have been set aside and made new creatures in Christ. It is thus the believer is delivered from the terrible conflict of Romans 7.
Conflict With the Flesh
But there is a second conflict (Gal. 5:1717For 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. (Galatians 5:17)). Here the enemies are different from those of Romans 7. There it was the law and myself, but in Galatians it is the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. The believer has received the Holy Spirit, and we desire to walk in the Spirit, bringing forth the fruit of the Spirit, but the flesh would hinder. Now, the great secret is to keep the flesh judged and reckoned dead, so that the Spirit may be ungrieved and the flesh may not work.
Conflict With Wicked Spirits
There is, however, a third conflict, referred to in Ephesians 6:1212For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12). Here the enemies are totally distinct from those of Romans 7 or Galatians 5. “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places,” or perhaps more accurately, “wicked spirits in heavenly places.” It is not merely the darkness, but the rulers of the darkness — not merely spiritual wickedness, but wicked spirits — Satan the prince of the power of the air, the head and leader of them.
It is important to understand the range of this conflict. It is not in the world, nor in the wilderness, but it is in the heavenlies. This at last is the true position of the children of God, for they have been made to sit in heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 2:5-65Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:5‑6)). And in proportion as we are in the conscious enjoyment of our place in Christ in the heavenlies, so we come in contact with Satan and these wicked spirits in the heavenlies (Eph. 6:1212For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)). Now, what provision have we to overcome these terrible foes?
God in His grace has made the fullest provision, so that we might be able to maintain the enjoyment of our place in the most intimate fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. He has provided a complete set of armor. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Eph. 6:13-1813Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:13‑18)).
Heavenly Places
It must be very particularly observed that this armor is to be used in the heavenly places, and therefore we must know our place there to take and use it. It is not to be used to get to God in the heavenlies (we do that by believing in Christ), but rather in overcoming the wiles of the devil, so that we may be able to stand and continually enjoy our place and blessings in Christ there. We are seated in Christ in the heavenly places, and it is Satan’s aim to rob us of our enjoyment of this our wondrous portion.
The Lord give us all more and more, by the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence, to know and enjoy and live our true standing before God in Christ. God in His marvelous grace has given the true believer in Christ the best of positions and the fullest of blessings. He has set him in heavenly places in Christ, in whom all the fullness of the Godhead bodily dwells, and made him complete in Him (Eph. 2:5-65Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:5‑6); Col. 2:9-109For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (Colossians 2:9‑10)).
God expects of us that we shall never be content with the enjoyment of anything less than all which He in His love and good pleasure has given us. He has blessed us freely and fully, and He counts on our ready response. There is no response that so delights Him as seeing us use and enjoy all He has so bountifully given. And, what is better than all, He would have us enjoy all things, not alone, but reverently, in intimate fellowship with Himself, without fear and trembling, resting in the full sense of His favor, and abiding in His love.
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