Jane:
I suppose my hero in regard to the warring against the flesh must be brother Paul, for he expressed so clearly that we have two natures, the sin nature and our newly created nature in Christ Jesus. We are called upon to be holy (Be holy as I am holy). It is a process called sanctification and it doesn't happen over night. He that is without sin, cast the first stone. No stone in my hand. Now that I have a few years in the Lord (I was saved when I was 17 and now,.... well, I've got a grey beard.) I can truly say that many of the old habits of the old man I have, with the grace of Jesus, put down. There isn't any sin that cannot be forgiven, save the one against the Spirit of God, and that one is pretty hard to commit. Yet, any sin, no matter how small will separate us from a HOLY GOD. It is the Lord's grace that frees us from sin and covers us with his mantle of righteousness. (If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness: 1 John 1:9). However, more and more I see that we should not operate in a negative mode, i.e. always quoting that scripture to assure us of our forgiveness. We must move in the positive mode, doing the work of the Lord and trusting him to take care of our faults, many that they be.
Peace to you,
Lee |
