Conflict Resolution
In order to be a follower of Christ it is essential that we learn how to live spiritually. God is Spirit and in our essence we are spirit also. We are spiritual beings who possess a physical body that enables us to live in God's physical creation.
In the process of Spiritual Formation comes the understanding that one must also live Spiritually. When we are Born Again through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins, our spirits are reborn in a new spiritual relationship with God. His very Spirit comes to dwell within us infusing us with His divine nature., power, and passion. This is evidenced in us by a new found love for God, for his Eternal Word, and for His Perfect Plan for our lives. Our eyes and hearts are opened to a new what is so foreign compared to the one life we have become accustomed to.
Herein, is where the problem lies. Although our spirit is born again with God's new nature, our bodies are still infected with the Old Sinful Nature. Our spirits are drawn to the eternal joys of heaven while are bodies are shackled to the momentary thrills of this world. Paul outlined our predicament in Romans 7.14-8.1-2.
Romans 7.14 "We know that the law is spiritual; but I am un-spiritual, sold as a slave to sin.
15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.
17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.
18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.
22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law;
23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.
24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?
25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful naturet a slave to the law of sin.
Romans 8.1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set yout free from the law of sin and death."
Did you follow Paul's conflict? This conflict is the key to Spiritual Formation. For us to understand Spiritual Formation, we must understand:
1. There are two natures living within us.
2. God's nature, by His Spirit in us, is oru new nature that is who we truly are.
3. The sinful nature in our flesh is our old nature that was who we one were.
4 God's nature always desired to fulfil His Plan and Purpose for those who believe.
5 When a person believes, and lives in the Spirit, that one is fulfilling God's Plan and purpose for my life.
6. When a person lives in the flesh, he or she is living in opposition to God's Plan and purpose for their life.
7. As God's child, God knows it is the sin of the flesh that causes people to oppose Him.
8. Through Jesus Christ, God has separated us from the sinful nature.
9. In Jesus Christ we are freed from the condemnation incurred by the sin nature.
Every person who says they are born again should identify with Paul's conflict here.If you do not,perhaps it is because you are not truly Born Again by God's Spirit, and do not possess His new nature in you. However, if you are, you will experience two opposing desires. One toward God and the desire to love and serve God is evidence of God's Spirit in your heart and represents the new you in Christ. The lusts for fleshly and worldly things is the remainder of our old self which still resides in our flesh.
When a true Christian sins, it is never what he or she truly wants to do as a new person in Christ. God, in His grace, God has separated true Believers from their sin nature so that He does not condemn them. It is an incredible picture of God's grace and our freedom in Jesus Christ our Lord.
When God removed the condemnation of sin from His children, he did this not so that they would then be free to sin. but so that they might be free to live in the liberty of the Holy Spirit. We have inherited from God our Father, a new nature that desires to Glorify Him. And a new freedom to express that nature through our bodies. With freedom comes responsibility and choices. As true believers in Christ, do you really want to live life glorifying your Heavenly Father? Doe you want to be living and fulfilling His purpose and Plan? Of course you do if you are a true believer in Christ. The challenge here is to live in the Spirit not the flesh.
Spiritual Formation demands that we continuously live in the Spirit. Every moment a Christian lives dominated by the flesh is a moment of spiritual blindness in which Satan has free reign to tempt, deceive, and influence us away from God. Now why would we want to give the devil that type of opportunity? When we live in the Image of Christ, our mind, emotions, and will are in unison with God's purpose and plan; enabling us to discern what its good, acceptable, and perfect! When we are living in the face to face position of the image of Christ we are truly Disciples of Jesus Christ, and are ready for service as Ambassadors of Christ.
