If we walk according to the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh

If I ask myself if Jesus was constantly wrestling with sin, my answer would have to be no. That is not to say that I believe that Jesus did not have inappropriate desires. The Scripture tells us that He was tempted at all points as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). So what I think, is that Jesus was proficient in the process of crucifying the flesh with its and passions and desires (Galatians 5:24), and in reckoning Himself dead to sin (Romans 6:11). And since Jesus came in the flesh, and He is our example, then it must be possible that we too can walk in this the kind of peace and victory. It is wrong thinking to believe that Jesus could do the things He did because He was God. This is to deny that He came in the flesh (1 John 4:2).

It seems to me, that the Scripture actually expects us to come to the place where we are substantially free from a preoccupation with our sin nature, and can walk in the Spirit with confidence. Paul tells us for example, that he was not conscious of anything against himself (1 Corinthians 4:4). In Romans 8:1,4 Paul, in some way enlarging on this morning’s quote (Galatians 5:16), tells us that there is no condemnation to those who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. The context of course is Romans 7, where Paul talks about our doing things we don’t want to do, and not doing things that we want to do. At the end of chapter 7 (verses 24, 25) he thanks God that there is deliverance from this “body of death,” and that the deliverance is through Jesus Christ our Lord. In other words in Christ deliverance is available!

Some may object, that the Scripture also warns us “Let he who thinks he stand, take care lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). But as the next verse indicates, the warning is against overconfidence in ourselves, not against confidence in God’s keeping power (see also Hebrews 7:25). In particular our confidence is rather in that the Lord always provides a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13), and that we have access to come boldly to the throne of grace, to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). It does need to be said however that, as with many things in the Christian life, we do not arrive here without suffering (1 Peter 4:1), without struggle, instantly, and without a lot of help! We are however promised rest (Hebrews 4:9).

Father, I am so aware this morning Lord of many who likely feel what I am saying this morning is impossible. However, if we tell ourselves it is impossible, then it will be! But You are not a man that You should lie, and Your Word tells us that You always lead us in triumphant procession in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14). And I pray this morning for each and every one of us Lord, that You would give us grace to believe that with You even this is possible, and that there is an end even in he here and now to perpetual debilitating struggle in Jesus Name Amen