17/01/08

Struggle between Good and Evil

So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. - Romans 7:21

It is a thin and rather smooth coin of common knowledge that the human race has lost its symmetry and tends to be lopsided in almost everything it is and does. Religious philosophers have recognized this asymmetry and have sought to correct it by preaching in one form or another, the doctrine of the "golden mean." Confucius taught the "middle way"; Buddha would have his followers avoid both asceticism and bodily ease; Aristotle believed that the virtuous life is the one perfectly balanced between excess and defect. Christianity, being in full accord with all the facts of existence, takes into account this moral imbalance in human life, and the remedy it offers is not a new philosophy but a new life. The ideal to which the Christian aspires is not to walk in the perfect way but to be transformed by the renewing of his mind and conformed to the likeness of Christ. The regenerate man often has a more difficult time of it than the unregenerate, for he is not one man but two. He feels within him a power that tends toward holiness and God, while at the same time he is still a child of Adam's flesh and a son of the red clay. This moral dualism is to him a source of distress and struggle wholly unknown to the once-born man. Of course the classic critique upon this is Paul's testimony in the seventh chapter of his Roman epistle.

God has given the Holy Spirit to believers not just to be our moral compass but our spiritual power. Submitting to the Spirit's control in daily life enables us to overcome the evil nature and live consistent with the new.


[ Prayer for the Day ]

Lord, I try to fight evil but I always fail, I know by my strength I will not succeed. But In Your strength, O Holy Spirit, I dare to battle foes within and foes without. Only in Your strength. Always be with me, strengthening me and guiding me. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen


Note:

Brothers or Sisters who are not baptized in the Holy Spirit can take the divine exchange (sinner's) prayer sent on the 29th Dec 2007 (if you do not have it in your mail log on to the website and find it in the Archive) confess it many times till it gets written in your hearts and then ask the Lord for His promised Spirit (the Helper) by confessing Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me for God Himself has anointed me". Then watch the anointing come upon you and the re-birth of your life, you will not be the same.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)