Something very important in this struggle we all go through is that we live by faith not by sight. And like God we call those things that are not as if they are. Rom 4. If we look at our selves through carnal eyes we do not see righteousness. But Paul said that we do not know anyone according to the flesh anymore, but according to the spirit. So he says, if any man–that is YOU …be in Christ he IS a new creation the old has passed away the new HAS COME. Now that sure does not look like it is true when we are wallowing around obeying our flesh I know. But it is true!
We choose to believe it is true and then we DARE to speak it out to ourselves…such as
I am a new creature in Christ Jesus! I am created according to God in true righteousness and holiness! I am alive in Christ! I have been conveyed out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of His love…Jesus has forgiven me all trespasses…Jesus has lifted me up into heavenly places in Him….I am one spirit with Christ Jesus… I share in His victory RIGHT NOW!
All these crazy declarations my friend—are the truth based upon Scripture and the work of Jesus on the cross and not upon your efforts to perform.
And this is most likely the root of your situation like it is for all….We try to walk in the Spirit.
And we find out pretty quickly that we cannot!
Trying to walk in the Spirit means that YOU think YOU can. But what God shows us through this Romans 7 struggle is who we are now. The old “I” thinks “I can do this!! I’ve got this!! I’ll show God I am worthy!!”
So of course down we go.
Just like brother Paul in Romans 7 who discovered that he was a covetous man…and the more he tried to overcome it, the worse it got! Until he came to the end of himself and cried out “Who will deliver me from this body of death???”
Then by the light of God he saw it…
I thank God through Jesus Christ!!
“For what Paul?…I don’t understand? Thank Him for what?”
Jesus HAS delivered you from this body of death!!! You dear reader.
Sure doesn’t seem like He has..
Dare to believe what the word teaches–and most importantly in daring to believe it, is to SPEAK it to yourself…as I showed above.
Again…for instance..
“God has delivered me from this body of death, for I am not in the flesh but in the Spirit according to Romans 8:9”
“I have received the Spirit of God so that I am in the Spirit right now and every moment for He never leaves me.”
I cannot produce the righteous life, but Christ in me calls me righteous by faith alone.
I am resting upon the finished work of Jesus not upon what I can do.
God accepts me right now and everyday whether I feel He does or not.
I could go one ….I have been there, where you are…and have had to fight and lean and learn.
Believe it or not, you are in a great place right now.
Bless you my friend
