How The Spirit-Filled Life Leads Christians To Be Focused On The Heavenly Father

Ephesians 5:1-2 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."

Introduction:

The great 18th century preacher George Whitfield made a comment once about the ignorance so-many Christian people had in his day about the benefits of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. What we writes seems so true in so much of the American church today:

"Nothing has rendered the cross of Christ of less effect; nothing has been a greater stumbling-block and rock of offense to weak minds, that a supposition, now current among us, that most of what is contained in the gospel of Jesus Christ, was designed for the Lord's first and immediate followers, and consequently calculated but for one or two hundred years."

Whitfield later adds:

"Many now read the life, sufferings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, in the same manner as Caesar's commentaries, or the Conquests of Alexander are read: as things rather intended to afford matter for speculation, than to be acted over again in and by us."

When it comes to the Spirit-filled life, we find the Spirit's main purpose in bringing about a more vibrant awareness and experience of God in the believer's soul. 

Jesus was in His ministry and life both Spirit-led and Father-focused

Whenever one studies the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, two immediate traits emerge. First and foremost, the Lord Jesus Christ, touching His humanity, was led by and filled with the Holy Spirit. The title "Christ" literally means "anointed one". In nearly 45 places we find references to Jesus mentioning, ministering and being empowered by the Holy Spirit. He not only lived by the Holy Spirit as a mark of His Messiahship, but more so to portray for us a true humanity empowered by the Holy Spirit - a heritage He has available to every Christian.

The second trait about the ministry and life of the Lord Jesus is how "Father-centered" He was in His thinking, emotions and decision making. We discover Jesus referring to the Heavenly Father nearly 70 times in the four Gospels. He called on Him in prayer, spent time with Him and never reckoned the timing of His decisions apart from the Father's will.

The Christian is called to be Spirit-filled and Father-focused

Is it possible for the Christian in their humanity to approximate this intense "Father-focused" lifestyle of Jesus Christ? Absolutely! Note the command urged upon every Christian in Ephesians 5:1, wherein we read: "be imitators of God". Wow! How can this be? Jesus states similarly in His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:48 - "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." It is very clear that I in my humanity am called to carry-out this command. Yet, I by myself cannot do it alone. 

The Holy Spirit, Who is by very nature God, comes to indwell at salvation (1 Corinthians 3:16). This means then that by the Holy Spirit in me, I can imitate God in terms of His moral attributes (love, righteousness, holiness, goodness and all the rest). Theologians sometimes make a distinction between God's "incommunicable attributes" and "communicable attributes". The former are qualities not shared between God and other beings (such as omniscience, omnipresence). However, there are traits which God does share with people in a comparative sense (love, mercy, justice, etc.) 

In a Christian, these communicable attributes become empowered by the Holy Spirit, resulting in the Christian acting, thinking and expressing in their emotions an approximation of God's very presence. Much like sunlight shining through stained-glass windows, the Spirit's power expresses itself through those communicable attributes of the believer's human soul. The result? Read Ephesians 5:2 - "and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma." 

Final Thoughts

As we become more focused on the Father, we come to imitate Jesus. Why? Because of the Holy Spirit's work in the Christian life.  The filling of the Holy Spirit is required if the Christian ever expects to be focused on the Heavenly Father.

Exploring Romans 8 And The New Testament On The Believer's New Inheritance In Christ

Romans 8:16-17 "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him."

Introduction:

In our last post we considered the Christian's new inheritance in Jesus Christ as found in Romans 8. We focused particular attention upon Romans 8:1-11, and noted two particular elements of this new inheritance the believer has in Jesus Christ:

1. A New Position. Romans 8:1-4
2. A New Guest - The Holy Spirit. Romans 8:5-11

This theme of "inheritance" provides the backbone for what comprises the Christian's spiritual and relational identity to God in Jesus Christ. Romans 8 covers quite a bit of ground in its coverage of the rich, spiritual inheritance that can be enjoyed by all Christians. I thought that we would consider what else is revealed in Romans 8 with respect to the Christian's new inheritance in Christ, followed by some remarks on other key texts that spell out this remarkable truth.

The Christian's New Inheritance in Jesus Christ in Romans 8

When one studies Romans 8:1-39, there are at least seven distinct elements that comprise the overall spiritual inheritance gained by the believer in Jesus Christ. As witnessed in the opening text of today's post, Romans 8:16-17 occupies the anchoring theme of the chapter. All that Paul writes about the Christian's spiritual inheritance is enjoyed or partaken of by the them as a result of being co-heirs with Christ in God. If we were to offer an outline of this new inheritance in Christ from Romans 8, it would be as follows:

1. New Position. Romans 8:1-4

2. New Guest.   Romans. 8:5-11

3. New Name. Romans 8:12-17

4. New Expectations. Romans 8:18-25

5. New Prayer-life. Romans 8:26-27

6. New Assurance. Romans 8:28-37

7. New Life-goal. Romans 8:38-39

A Brief Survey Of The Believer's New Inheritance As Spelled-Out In The New Testament

As can be seen, the theme of the believer's inheritance is rich in both its content and application. Paul's argument for sanctification includes its design (Romans 6); its battle (Romans 7) and the inheritance that the Christian begins to partake of in Romans 8. Other New Testament books expound further on this incredible truth of the believer's new inheritance. A sample of some of the key texts will be pursued at this point, since a full treatment would require several posts!

Galatians 4:1-6 and its extended context beginning from chapter three all the way to the end of Paul's letter centers around the contrast between who were were formerly as slaves separated from God to sons adopted by God. Galatians 4:4-6 states - "But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

Perhaps none of Paul's letters is more saturated with this theme of the believer's spiritual inheritance in Christ than that of his letter to the church at Ephesus. Almost immediately into the first chapter, we discover that the Christian's inheritance was pre-planned by God the Father, Son and Spirit before time began (Ephesians 1:1-14). Paul prays for the Ephesians to have further enlightenment about their spiritual heritage in Ephesians 1:18-20. 

Throughout the remaining 5 chapters of Ephesians, something is said of the Christian not only partaking of such blessings here in this life but of their ultimate destiny of reigning with Christ in the coming age (see Ephesians 2:6-8; 3:20). Such a spiritual inheritance informs how the Christian ought to conduct their life (Ephesians 4:1; 5:1); their families (Ephesians 5:22-23; 6:1-4); jobs (Ephesians 6:5-10) and fight the good fight of faith (Ephesians 6:11-18). 

As one travels throughout the rest of Paul's letters, this theme of the Christian's new inheritance in Christ pervades (see Philippians 3:7-11; Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 4-5; 1 Timothy 6:11-16). The Apostle Peter touches upon the believer's spiritual heritage in 1 Peter 1:8-9 and 2 Peter 1:3-11. The writer of Hebrews uses this theme in conjunction with the illustration of the ancient Hebrews and the Promised-land in his exposition of portions of the book of Joshua in Hebrews 3-4. The Apostle John refers to this same spiritual heritage in 1 John 3:1-3, wherein we read: 

"See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

As one rounds out surveying a sampling of what the New Testament presents regarding the believer's new inheritance in Christ, the material is seemingly unending! In the tiny letter of Jude, Jude writes of how the believer's inheritance is none other than God's very glory in Jude 1:24-25. The Book of Revelation, particularly chapters 21-22, detail what will be the ultimate manifestation of this heritage when believer's are finally brought with Christ into the New Heavens and New Earth wherein righteousness dwells (also compare 2 Peter 3:13). Is it no-wonder that Paul states in Ephesians 3:8 - "To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ."

Closing thoughts:

Today's post aimed to explore what both Romans 8 and the New Testament had to say regarding the believer's new inheritance in Jesus Christ. The hope is that this will whet the appetite of the reader to explore God's Word and to see how awesome it is to know what one can truly have by being united to Jesus Christ in salvation and sanctification. 

P2 - Having An Experiential Walk With God

Ephesians 5:18 "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit"

Introduction: The post-conversion experiential walk with God is what we call sanctification

Truly, the grace of sanctification emanates from the converted heart like a stem from a root. The stem of sanctification ought to then spring forth a blooming flower that emits the sweet aroma of a life saturated with Jesus Christ. Sanctification informs the post-conversion Christian life with respect to the priority of experiencing and knowing God on a daily-basis. It's character is ongoing. Sanctification entails a process whereby the Holy Spirit and the Christian are in a cooperative work of making that Christian more-and-more like Jesus. 

The heart of one's experiential walk with God - the Spirit-filled life
The emphasis on having an "experiential walk with God" is vital. How is it that one maintains such a walk? Ephesians 5:14-18 lays out the repeated, central reality to all-post-conversion Christianity that takes serious any experience with God:

"For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” 15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit."

This emphasis of "experiencing life with God" flies as a banner over the Christian life. It is one thing to get started. It is one thing to shoot forth with that initial excitement of being redeemed and born-again in conversion. It is one thing to follow through in believer's baptism following one's salvation - as vital as such things are. Yet, with that said, the harder reality is the maintenance of "staying in the saddle" so-to-speak. 

How is it that we come to see walking with God in daily experience go from duty to delight? How can the Christian ever expect to go places with God in their prayer life, Bible reading, church attendance and lifestyle? 

Ephesians 5:18 gives the answer: "be filled with the Spirit". To be Spirit-filled has nothing to do with speaking in tongues or undergoing a second work of grace or anything of that sort. Rather, the "Spirit-filled" life has everything to do with a repeated, what would hopefully be daily surrender to and leading by the Holy Spirit in the believer. Spirit-filled living refers to both a gradual moral improvement in the Christian life and what ought to be a deepening work of supernatural power coursing through the Christian's giftings and service. Others ought to be able to sense when they are around someone who is regularly living by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16 plainly states: "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." To be "filled" with the Spirit simply means I am being "influenced" by Him. 

As I give myself to God in scripture reading, prayer, church attendance, evangelism and other means of strengthening grace - my faith will not just crawl, but soar. Paul explains the result of the repeated, post-conversion reality of the Spirit-filled life in Ephesians 5:19-21 - 

"speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ."

The Spirit-filled life is the yielded-life. The Spirit-filled life not only yields to God in submission but simultaneously acts forth with God in obedience. The heart of an ongoing experiential walk with God is the Spirit-filled life. 

Closing thoughts
This is what the Christian life is all about: knowing God and making Him known. May you and I dear reader, grow in our experience with God by being those who regularly are filled by, influenced by the Holy Spirit as we give ourselves to His word, His people, prayer and the sharing of our faith with others. 

P1 - Having An Experiential Walk With God

Ephesians 5:1-2 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."

How the experiential walk with God begins - conversion
What is the purpose of the Christian life? Knowing God. When a man, woman or child is born-again by trusting in Jesus Christ by grace alone through faith alone - initiation into an experiential walk with God begins. Paul lays out for us in Ephesians 5:1-10 what it means to have this "experiential walk with God". He uses such statements as "imitating God" in 5:1; carrying forth a "sweet aroma" of Christ in 5:2 and "trying to do what is pleasing to the Lord" in 5:10.

This initiation into the Christian life is what we call "conversion". Included in conversion is that first work of regeneration and its attendant Spirit-wrought workings of conviction, faith and repentance. The sinner responds, believes and is saved. All such works are simultaneous and instant. At conversion the Heavenly Father declares the sinner "just" or right-with-God in a judicial declaration called "justification". In justification, the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is credited to that sinner - henceforth making him a "saint". The Father then, simultaneously, declares the saint of God to be an adopted child by what the scriptures call "adoption unto sonship" or more simply "adoption" (Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 4:4-6).  So the sinner becomes a saint and the old way of life is forsaken in favor of Christ. The convert is given a new heart - a heart that beats with the desire to obey its Lord. 

The ongoing experiential walk with God ought to continue on in post-conversion Christian living - i.e sanctification
The first major step of obedience following conversion is and ought to be believer's baptism (Romans 6:4-11; Colossians 2:11-12). The new convert is given the opportunity to profess their faith publicly before the local church body. Whatever had privately transacted between that convert and God in saving faith goes public. The miracle of salvation is re-enacted in the rite and symbolism of believer's baptism. Already the convert is declaring that they so desire to continue in their experiential walk with God not only as a private affair, but more so as to their public life before others. 

In Ephesians 5:10-13 we see the battle one faces against the world, the flesh and the Devil when attempting to grow in one's post-conversion, experiential walk with God: 

"trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light."

One's experiential walk with God begins in conversion. What follows from thereon is the progressive onward and upward growth in Jesus Christ. This ongoing, post-conversion life is what the Bible refers to as "sanctification" or being "set-apart" (Romans 6:12-13; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 2:9-12). Just as one "sets-apart" or "sanctifies dishes" to be ready for the next meal, sanctification is an ongoing process whereby the Christian is being made more and more like Jesus in thought, attitude, word and deed. Truly, the grace of sanctification emanates from the converted heart like a stem from a root. The stem of sanctification ought to then spring forth a blooming flower that emits the sweet aroma of a life saturated with Jesus Christ. Sanctification informs the post-conversion Christian life with respect to the priority of experiencing and knowing God on a daily-basis. Tomorrow we will continue by considering the heart of one's experiential post-conversion walk with God. 

What is better than forgiving yourself

Ephesians 2:12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

The Christian is now a product of Christ's finished work, not their past
Have you ever met anyone who said they had trouble forgiving themselves?  Perhaps you reading this post today fit into this category. Today we want to consider the true meaning of forgiveness and how receiving Christ's forgiveness is better than any forgiveness we could ever do on our own.

To begin, what does it mean to forgive?  Biblically speaking, forgiveness involves letting-go of the grounds for condemnation. To forgive entails ceasing to continually condemn someone who has hurt you.  Colossians 3:13 tells us - "forgive as the Lord forgive you".  As author and counselor Niel T. Anderson notes: "whenever anyone has believed on Jesus Christ, they are not longer a product of their past, since everything in their lives is now defined by what Christ has accomplished on their behalf." 

What if I'm not a Christian
The ability to forgive others is based upon what Christ has done on the cross.  If you have received by faith the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ, then you have every provision available to forgive anyone.  If you have not yet  believed on Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord and treasure, I urge you do as the scriptures states in Romans 10:8-10 "But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."  

Why the past needs to be regarded as the past, rather than the present - exploring the meaning of "forgiving yourself"
Living with guilt and remorse from the past can paralyze you if you are convinced that who you are is defined by what you did. Who you and I once was can cast a long shadow over who were are today. Only in Jesus can such shadows be dispelled. What about forgiving yourself?  What does it mean to forgive yourself? Lets consider some thoughts from Ephesians 2 on turning around this concept.

1. Recognize your past identity and life to be dead
To "forgive yourself" in the Christian sense can only be done when you receive God the father's testimony of your new found identity in Jesus Christ.  Note this: there is no command in scripture that speaks about forgiving yourself, however there are tons of scriptures that speak of God forgiving and accepting the believer in Christ.  "Forgiving yourself" is another way of really saying: "I accept by faith what God the Father declared about me as a believer in the scripture".  Who you were and whose you were is replaced by now affirming who you are and whose you are.  Paul in this chapter labors to demonstrate that who the Ephesians were no longer applies nor has grounds to accuse who they are in Christ.  Note what he says:

Who I was and whose I was
-"And you were dead in your tresspasses and sins" 2:1
-"in which you formerly walked" 2:2
-"according to the prince of the power of the air" 2:2
-"among them we formerly lived" in the lusts of our flesh 2:3
-(we were) indulging the desires of the flesh 2:3
-we were by nature children of wrath 2:3
-Therefore remember that formerly.... (see, this is who you were) 2:11
-remember at that time you were separate...excluded...strangers...no hope...without God...2:12

Before you received Christ by grace through faith, who were you? Dead, bound in lust and desire, children of wrath, without hope and without God.  Before you received Christ by grace through faith, whose were you? You were under the tyranny of Satan.  You were enslaved by your desires.  You were a product of your past, your family, your habits, your old identity in fallen Adam. 

Do you accept God's testimony in His word that this is who you were?  that it is past tense? that you are no more that person? If so, you are well on your way to "forgiving yourself".  But notice what else Ephesians 2 has to say.

2. Choose to receive what God in Christ has said about you instead
To forgive yourself in Christ is to receive and accept what God has already said about your past.  In Christ, the power of the past to influence who you are is broken and is no more. (2 Corinthians 5:17)  Ephesians 2 is a fine example of demonstrating what God has to say about the Christian's new identity:

Who I am and whose I am
-"But God being rich in mercy because of His great love with which He loved us" - Ephesians 2:4 Hence you are loved by God believer.
-"even when we were dead....He made us alive together with Christ Ephesians 2:5
-"raised us up with Him" Ephesians 2:6
-"seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" Ephesians 2:6
-"So that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness towards us in Christ" Ephesians 2:7
-"But now in Christ Jesus you who were formerly far off have been brought near"  Ephesians 2:13
-"For He Himself is our peace.... Ephesians 2:14
-"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and are of God's household" Ephesians 2:19

So in Christ, by faith, who are you? You are loved, accepted and a new creature in Christ.  You have peace with God, a new position and newly given ability to live out whom God has declared you to be.  Whose are you? You are owned by Christ, in association with Him. 

Do you accept God's testimony about who you are and whose you are? Do you receive instead your new identity in Christ? If you do, then forgiving yourself will be no problem, since in Christ Jesus, the past is the past.  So when you regard your former identity to be dead, and choose to receive what God has said about you instead....

3. Only then can you move on ahead
Forgiving yourself is receiving the fact that God has accepted you in Christ.  Now of course you may ask: what about the consequences?  Certainly when we forgive others or "ourselves", we still may very well have to deal with the consequences of our past.  However, in Christ, when you come to terms with what you did to bring about those consequences, living with them will take on a whole new meaning. Forgiveness not only brings healing to your past but provides hope for the future.

Only one thing can cleanse the conscience
Forgiveness can only be done in conjunction with the cross, since only at the cross is the past offenses erased and the declaration of innocence made by God over the believer. (Colossians 3:13)  Beating yourself up and condemning yourself is not honoring to God nor effective in washing the past away.  Nothing you and I can do can atone or appease the decisions we rendered in the past.  However, what Christ accomplished, when received by faith, alone appeases and atones for the things of not only the past and the future but also the present. 

Colossians 2:18a states - "Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement. . . "  Only the blood of Jesus Christ, applied to you at the moment of saving faith, can cleanse your sins (Isaiah 53:4-6). Furthermore, only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse away the guilt of your conscience not only at your conversion, but also in your walk of faith following your conversion. (Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:9)  Can the accusations and memories of your conscience be silenced? Yes! Through the blood of Christ. 

Forgiving yourself means accepting God's forgiveness of you in Christ
In sum, we have discovered the only way you can forgive yourself:

1. Recognize your past identity and life to be dead

2. Chose to receive what God in Christ has said about you instead

3. Only then can you move ahead

Spiritual Warfare A,B,C - Confidence to win in spiritual warfare

Ephesians 6:13 "Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."

Introduction and review

The last couple of days have served to unpack the A,B,C's of spiritual warfare. In this short series we have noted that when approaching spiritual warfare, we need to be Spirit filled and word filled, per what we looked at in Ephesians 6:11. Carnal weapons of the flesh have no place in spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).  God's supplied Word and He in the Person of the Holy Spirit are the only ways we can approach our daily warfare as Christians. 

Then we noted yesterday the "B" of the A,B,C's - "Believer's three common enemies". In considering 1 John 2:14-17 and Ephesians 6:12, we saw that the Devil (via his demonic network), the world and the flesh are the three main enemies we deal with in spiritual conflict. Today's post aims to show the confidence we have in spiritual warfare.

The Confidence in Spiritual Warfare

Ephesians 6:13 states - "Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." A brief unfolding of this verse, one phrase at a time, will show why it is we as Christians can have confidence in spiritual warfare.

1. Divine provision of spiritual armor

Paul writes first of all: "Therefore take up the full armor of God...". In the days that Paul wrote this letter, he was chained to a Roman soldier who was likely a member of the elite Roman unite called the "Italian band". When a Roman soldier went into battle, they had behind them the entire Roman Senate and authority of the Emperor. Furthermore, they possessed what was then the finest armor of any army in the world. 

The word translated "full armor" could just as easily be translated "full array". The Roman soldier had everything he needed, and then some, to defeat his enemy. Christians have at their disposal the entirety of God's provision of the spiritual armor. Moreover, the Holy Spirit Himself indwells the Christian. 

No demon, no desire of the flesh and no influence in the world is greater than the Spirit of God (1 John 4:4). We also have the authority of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ Himself, behind and in us (Colossians 1:27). We have the Father's favor watching over us (James 1:17). The Christian as the provision of God when it comes to fighting the good fight of faith. So there is the Divine provision, but notice secondly....

2. Divine power to fight

Ephesians 6:13 says next - ..."so that you will be able to resist in the evil day...". To know that we as Christians have God's very power available to resist temptations, overcome fear and resist the Devil ought to increase our confidence. 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us - "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." 

Oftentimes I will hear Christians worry about whether or not they would be able to take a stand for Jesus if the situation demanded it. My answer to them is a resounding "yes"! These texts, and many others (Hebrews 12:3; James 1:3-4; 1 Peter 1:5-7; 1 Peter 4:10-11) speak to how we have the Divine power to win spiritual battles and Divine provision, but notice lastly...

3. Divine guarantee of victory

Ephesians 6:13 says once more - ..."and having done everything, to stand firm." The verb translated "having done everything" is the same exact verb found in Philippians 2:12 - "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling." 

Will the fight of faith be immune from troubles and pain? No. We must literally "work it out" in the exercise of our faith in prayer (Jude 1:20); the scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15) and church attendance (Hebrews 10:24-25). We must "work it out" by ways of loving our enemies (Matthew 22:39); watching our speech (James 1:26-27) and enduring hardship (2 Timothy 3:12). Yet, we know that God is the One working forth in us His perfect and pleasing will and a glory that cannot compare (2 Corinthians 4:18; Philippians 2:13). The victory has already been won by Jesus. We are  running our victory lap for the King of Kings (Hebrews 12:1-3). 

Thus Divine provision, power and guarantee comprises the confidence Christians have in spiritual warfare.

Closing thoughts

We have explored the A,B,C's of spiritual warfare these last few posts. We have discovered the following:

1. Our approach must be as Spirit-filled and word-filled people. 

2. Believers have three enemies: the world, the flesh and the Devil. 

3. Then the confidence we have in spiritual warfare is the Divine provision of the spiritual armor, Divine power to fight and Divine guarantee to win. 

Spiritual Warfare A,B,C - Believer's 3 Common Enemies

Ephesians 6:10-11 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil."

John 2:16-17 "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world."

Introduction:

We saw in yesterday's post the two-pronged method for approaching spiritual warfare: Spirit-filled and word-filled living. Both the Spirit's leading and the authority of God's word go hand-in-hand in the Christian's daily warfare. Consider the following observation from Dr. Charles Stanley in his book: "The Wonderful Spirit-Filled Life", page 210: "Peace or no peace. Guilty conscience or no guilty conscience. The Word of God stands. It is the final authority for the Spirit-filled believer. The Spirit-filled life is a life lived in accordance with the teachings of Scripture - whether one feels like it or not and whether it bears witness to one's spirit or not." Dr. Stanley later on notes in page 213 of the same book: "That is why the Spirit-filled life begins with surrender to the Lordship of Christ. Surrendered Christians approach the text with humble hearts, not hidden agendas. Spirit-filled believers come to the scriptures with teachable spirits. They don't view Bible study as simply a fact-finding mission. They see it as an opportunity to peer into the mind and heart of God."

With thse thoughts in mind, today's post is all about identifying the three common enemies faced by every Christian. In the opening passage above we see them underlined: the Devil, the world and the flesh. The contexts of both scriptures indicate the following:

1. Common Enemy in spiritual warfare is The Devil.

2. Cravings that contribute to our spiritual warfare is the flesh.

3. Context in which our warfare occurs is the world. 

Enemy #1: The Devil
Ephesians 6:11 warns the reader of the "schemes" or "methodologies" of the Devil. Who is the Devil? A brief sketch of his personage and career reveals the following:

1. He was originally a powerful angel named Lucifer (Ezekiel 28; Isaiah 14), perhaps an archangel, who got his eyes off of God and instead focused on his own beauty. Shortly after the creation week scripture records Lucifer, now Satan or the Devil, leading 1/3 of the angelic hosts astray, who in their fall became the myriads of demons occupying the various orders of the kingdom of darkness. (Revelation 12) 

2. The Devil or Satan is a creature who is a liar (John 8:44), a deceiver and prince of the power of the air who blinds the hearts of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:1-4). As a creature, the Devil communicates his malevolent intentions through the vast network of demonic hosts we see mentioned in Ephesians 6:12.

3. We know the Devil tempted Jesus on three occasions in Matthew 4, and the Devil's aim is to do all he can to discourage and divide the church. (Matthew 16:18)

4. According to 1 Peter 5:8, The Devil is a roaring lion prowling about seeking whom he may devour. 

This sketch lays out for us why it is the Devil is the believer's common enemy in spiritual warfare. Now notice the second enemy...

Enemy #2 - The World

1 John 2:16 warns us about not loving "the world". The Greek word behind this word (kosmos) is the word from whence we get our terms "cosmetics" and "cosmology" and "cosmopolitan".  A "kosmos" or "world" refers to a certain orderly arrangement or system, hence for example, cosmetics are products designed to help someone arrange the colors and appearance of their face. I someone were to take up the study of "cosmology", they would be concerned about studying the arrangement of things in our universe. When reference is made to a "cosmopolitan person", that person is typically a traveler, a "person of the world" who dresses in the finest clothes and keeps up with the trends of things worldwide. 

Whenever the Apostle John refers to the term "world", he is talking about the organized system of thought that is under the authority of Satan. The Devil is the common enemy of the believer. Other than Adam, Job, King David and Jesus, no other person has ever had to deal with Satan directly, but moreso indirectly. Satan wields his influence through his vast network of demonic hosts (Ephesians 6:12) and through the network system known as the world.

The physical body gathers its understanding of reality through the five senses, and this is how the influence of the world makes its way through if unchecked by the vigilant Christ follower. This is why John warns his readers to "not love the world". Elsewhere in the New Testament we read about the influence of the world and the need to be cautious of it. Romans 12:2 states -  "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." James 1:27 gives this insight: "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." Jesus gave this simultaneous warning and encouragement in John 16:33 - "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” Now notice the third enemy...

Enemy #3 - The flesh
Notice what the Apostle John writes in 1 John 2:16 "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world." What is meant by the term "flesh"? The term "flesh" can have one of two meanings in the New Testament. 

The first meaning of "flesh" refers to the physical body of a person, whereas the second meaning describes the expression of our soul's drives in cooperation with the remnants of sin in the soul. Galatians 5:19-21 gives the fullest definition of the flesh in the New Testament: "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

The flesh is an "expression", a "reaction" to certain conditions whereby the inborn drives of a person are set aflame and decisions are made to feed the hunger. The indwelling Holy Spirit aims to teach the child of God to "put on Jesus Christ, make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts." (Romans 13:14) 

Therefore when we are dealing with spiritual warfare, the flesh and the inward desires that go unchecked are among the most damaging of the three enemies. Unlike the Devil and the World, which attacks from the outside, the flesh works inward to outward. 

Closing thoughts for today
We considered in yesterday's post the approach one needs to spiritual warfare: namely the filling of the Holy Spirit and being filled with the word. Today's post served to unfold the believer's three common enemies: the world, the flesh and the Devil. Tomorrow we will consider the confidence the Christ has in spiritual warfare as we conclude this study on the A,B,C's of spiritual warfare.

Spiritual Warfare A,B,C - Approaching Spiritual Warfare

Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might."

Introduction:

The subject of spiritual warfare is of perennial interest among Christians. Understanding Christian spiritual warfare is vital in breaking Christian people out of a civilian mindset and into the clear reality of needing to be soldiers of the cross. Spiritual warfare also eases somewhat the disillusionment the we feel between living for God in this world and the opposition from the world.  We realize it is not abnormal to experience opposition for being a Christian. I would like to attempt a brief summary of this vast subject of spiritual warfare from the standpoint of Ephesians 6:10-13 for the purpose of spelling out what I call the "A,B,C's of spiritual warfare". Today's post will deal with the first of these, namely the approach to spiritual warfare.

The approach to spiritual warfare - Spirit and the Word

Ephesians 6:10 gives us two and only two ways in which one can approach spiritual warfare in the Christian life. The first is what we looked at in detail yesterday, namely the Spirit-filled life. The second approach is closely related to being filled with the Holy Spirit, namely being filled with the scriptures or maintaining one's exposure to the Word of God.

Ephesians 6:10a states - "Finally, be strong in the Lord...". The underlined words indicate an imperative command that is coined in the passive sense of dependency upon someone. To "be strong in the Lord" refers to depending upon the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. With the Person and work of the Holy Spirit, we cannot understand and discern, which are marks of the strength needed when fighting the good fight of faith. (Ephesians 1:17) Ephesians 3:16 proves that the source of such strength comes from the Spirit: "that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man." 

This strengthening of the Spirit comes to the degree we are filled with or influenced by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Moreover, the Spirit's strength is enjoyed and experienced as we position ourselves in a posture of prayer (Ephesians 6:18). 

But now we notice the second phrase of Ephesians 6:10 - namely: "and in the strength of His might." This second phrase identifies the second  closely related approach to spiritual warfare, the Word of God. 

So how do we know that "the strength of his might" is most likely referencing the scriptures? First, the word of God itself is the offensive weapon of the otherwise defensive armaments in the spiritual armor of Ephesians 6:14-18. Second, Hebrews 4:12 ties together this concept of God's might and spiritual warfare - "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Then thirdly, 2 Corinthians 6:7 alludes to carrying forth spiritual weaponry in the right hand and the left, which in context includes the word of God.  

This then is the two-fold approach to spiritual warfare: namely being filled with the Holy Spirit and being in His Word. 

More tomorrow....

How to enter into the enjoyment of the Abundant Christian life

Matthew 6:25-27 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?"

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, andall these things will be added to you."

Introduction:

There is a coffee shop in the town where I live that serves an incredible cup of coffee. Whenever I enter into that shop, the owner knows what I will order. He proceeds over to the expresso machine and puts in a "shot" of what I call "new life" (that is, expresso). Now that small amount of super-concentrated expresso sits in the cup. The owner then hands me the cup and I proceed over to some assorted coffee pots and choose which beverage I will put in to fill the cup to the brim. The full experience and enjoyment of that cup of "new life" will be accompanied by undertones of rich, nutty, earthy, smoky flavor. To not have that cup filled to the brim would be missing out on the enjoyment that accompanies the energy guaranteed by the coffee. We could say that my alertness and quality of pgysical energy before the coffee contrasts with the change of energy that occurs when I begin sipping that good cup of "life-infused" coffee.

Two types of life are contrasted by Jesus in the opening verses of today's post. The first set of verses we could classify as "life" or "natural life". Self-centeredness enthrones itself in the natural life. Getting all the one can get and canning all that one can get is the pursuit of natural life. Worry. Doubt. Fear. Those three emotions are outcomes of the natural life. Whenever you look at mankind's attempts to live life without God, you will find worry, doubt and fear interlaced in every plan, pursuit and purpose. The natural, unbelieving soul considers God's Word a foolish book (1 Corinthians 2:14). Many will outwardly pay their respects to the scriptures. However, the court of human opinion means more and carries more weight for the natural human mindset than any book claiming to be the Word of God. 

The second type of life that Jesus speaks of we could classify as "Kingdom life" or "The abundant life". This life is entered upon through the New birth in saving faith (John 3:1-6). Matthew 6:33 gives the Christian the antidote they need to combat the temptation to think only in natural terms. The New nature received in saving faith runs contrary to the assumptions of natural, everyday life. Afterall, the "Kingdom life" or "Abundant life" is supernatural. Jesus speaks a similar thought to Matthew 6:33 in John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." The Apostle Paul wrote of the abundant life in Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." The abundant life of walking in Jesus and He in us is the calling of every Christian. 

How is the abundant life, life, consistently enjoyed?

Jesus began the opening of His first sermon with these words in Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." The entry point of the abundant Christian life is the new birth. The entry point of continual enjoyment of the abundant life is by being filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus didn't come merely to give life, but abundant life. 

This is why Jesus sent His promised Holy Spirit to His church (John 16:12-15). We as Christian people are heirs to an abundant Christian life. Only when we daily heed to the Spirit's influencing or filling ministry will we persist in life not upon the basis of natural life, but the supernatural life of the Son of God afforded to us by the Spirit's filling ministry. Ephesians 5:18 states - "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit."

We propose today this main idea: The Spirit-filled life enables enjoyment of the abundant experience of Jesus in this life.

What abundant life looks like in action - Ephesians 5:19-6:9

1. Abundant church-life. Ephesians 5:19-21
Here we see commands given to the entire church body to "speak to one another" and "submit to one another". The songs of praise and worship result in the overflow of the individual Spirit-filled Christians coming together in either a corporate worship setting or smaller groups. Like live coals in a BBQ, as one Spirit-filled Christian fellowships with another Spirit-filled Christian, the worship quickly escalates to that level of worship that can only be described as "other-worldly". A sweetness fills the air and the focus becomes absolutely Christ-centered. Churches benefit from church members who regularly make the Spirit-filled life their priority. It is important to note that nothing can kill church-life quicker than whenever any of us emphasizes self and the flesh over and above the leading of the Lord. Ephesians 4:29-30, which is logically connected to Ephesians 5-6, warns readers of what can occur when self, rather than the Spirit, is trying to run the show in our church-life. When the Lord is in charge, church life goes from "trying to get the work to move forward" to "the Lord at work". Truly the Spirit-filled life enables enjoyment of the abundant experience of Jesus in this life.

2. Abundant Family life. Ephesians 5:22-6:4
In the flesh, the idea of "submission" is viewed negatively. Moreover, the possibility of loving one's wife as Christ loved the church - i.e putting her needs ahead of my own, willing to die if need be, being the spiritual leader - is too-tall of an order in the flesh. The self-life groans in the sight and hearing of such instructions. Natural life cannot imagine abundance.

Only the Spirit-filled wife and husband can achieve what is expected here in Ephesians 5:22-33. Harmony and unity result when both spouses are regularly led by the Holy Spirit. Just as we saw in the example of the Spirit-filled church, the Spirit-filled marriage will focus on Jesus Christ. Turning once again back to Ephesians 4, we find why it is necessary not to end the day on an angry note in Ephesians 4:26-27. Husbands, did you know if you mistreat your wife, your prayer life will come to a standstill? Let’s not give the devil a foothold in our marriages. Let’s be filled with the Holy Spirit again and again for Jesus’ sake and each other’s sake.

I find it interesting that the entire argument for the Spirit-filled life is not only for adult believers, but young Christians too. Parenting in the way God has prescribed can often be an exhausting chore. However when I yield myself to the Spirit's leading by way of daily time in the scripture, praying for my child and denying self - parenting in the name of Jesus becomes a delight. Conversely, whenever a little Christian child is taught to submit themselves to the Lord by practicing daily time in the Word, asking the Lord to lead them and most-importantly of all, mom and dad having Spirit-filled lives, the growing pains of childhood can be greatly dampened.

This is why the Spirit-filled life is a repeated experience post-conversion. Just as your car needs repeated fill-ups, so does the Christian walk. Perhaps this observation is no more realized than in the context of parenting. The abundant life of Jesus Christ is enjoyed by being Spirit-filled. The results that can flow from the abundant life are abundant church life and family life. As we have already noted, the Spirit-filled life enables enjoyment of the abundant experience of Jesus in this life. In church, in the family and then one more area....

3. Abundant life in the work place. Ephesians 6:5-9
Working on the job tests the patience of employees and employers alike. How can either make Godly decisions or treat each other in such a way that honors Christ? In the context of the work-a-day world, where there is often more unbelievers and believers, the Spirit-filled life is an utmost necessity. If an employee finds themselves as the only Christian among dozens (I've been there) or working for a boss who regularly pressures them to attempt things that are contrary to biblical convictions (I've been there as well), then the only way in which successful navigation can occur is the Spirit-filled life. To walk away from temptations, or opportunities to be lazy when the boss is not looking requires a Christian to be daily yielded to the Spirit of God. Abundant life in the midst of life will pray for co-workers and supervisors and labor to be a part of the change being prayed for by the Christian. The Spirit-filled life enables enjoyment of the abundant experience of Jesus that is needed in the workplace.

Closing thoughts

Today we considered how to enter into enjoyment of the abundant Christian life. We saw that such a life is what Jesus came to provide and that is entered upon in the New birth. We also considered this main thought: The Spirit-filled life enables enjoyment of the abundant experience of Jesus in this life. Whether we are talking about church life, family life or work-life, our experience and enjoyment of Jesus Christ is directly related to how much we are placing ourselves under the Holy Spirit's filling ministry. God desires for us to live abundantly for Him. The question is: how much do we want to have a richer experience and walk with Jesus Christ?

The practical consequences of being filled with the Holy Spirit - Ephesians 5:19-6:20

Ephesians 5:1 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children"

Ephesians 5:18 "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit"

Ephesians 6:18 "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints"

Introduction:

Lately I have been focusing on the Spirit-filled life. Why? Simply because in so many cases (at least in Baptist circles or Evangelical church circles), Christians rarely think about the kind of experience they are to have with God beyond the baptismal tank. Let me explain. It is probably a fair assessment that too often, the excitement of those first few days or weeks following one's conversion is marked rightly by believer's baptism. The ordinance of believer's baptism is afterall the first major step of Christian obedience. 

However, what is there after water baptism? I know for me growing up as a teenager, after having been converted and water baptized, there was no further instruction. My concept of the Christian life consisted of trying to get by and biding my time until either Jesus returned or when I died. Such a vision of Christianity does not consider the wonderful life of sanctification, and more specifically, the Spirit-led, controlled and filled life. It was not until 17 years of age, nearly six years after my conversion and nearly 5 years after water baptism that I experienced what we have been laboring for in these past several posts - namely the Spirit-filled life. 

Such an experience is entered upon by first of all positioning oneself to imitate God and walk in love, as explained in Ephesians 5:1-2. Next, obedience to God, or at least the desire to do so, is the second step. Thirdly, hatred for sin, or at least the desire to put away from oneself unconfessed sin, is also vital. Such convictions are covered in Ephesians 5:1-14 and comprise the call to the Spirit-filled life. 

As we already saw in yesterday's post, the Spirit-filled life is not optional, but commanded (Ephesians 5:15-18). So then, what about the practical consequences that flow from a Christian who not just once, but repeatedly lives in commitment to being led by and filled by the Holy Spirit? What can be expected in terms of fruit? What difference does it make whether or one is filled with the Holy Spirit?

Such questions will be answered in this final installment of our study of Ephesians 5:1-6:20 as we consider the consequences of being filled with the Holy Spirit. 

The consequences of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:19-6:20
The Spirit-filled life is as much practical as it is supernatural and doctrinal. Empowerment that derives from increased influence by the Holy Spirit is not just for the self-edification of the Christian. The Spirit-filled life is a ministry granted by the Holy Spirit to be a blessing to others. We saw already the one key theme to Spirit-filled, Spirit-controlled living - namely holiness (Ephesians 5:1-14). We can now add another practical theme - that of submission. Submitting oneself to the Lord Jesus Christ, the authority of the scriptures and the Spirit's leading are pre-requisite to the filling work of the Spirit. How then can one continue to walk in the Spirit - as so commanded in Galatians 5:16 and 5:25? One word - submission. The practical consequences our outcomes of the Spirit-filled life are as follows in Ephesians 5:19-6:20.

1. Spirit-filled worship. Ephesians 5:19-21
Here we see commands given to the entire church body to "speak to one another" and "submit to one another". The songs of praise and worship result in the overflow of the individual Spirit-filled Christians coming together in either a corporate worship setting or smalller groups. Like live coals in a BBQ, as one Spirit-filled Christian fellowships with another Spirit-filled Christian, the worship quickly escalates to that level of worship that can only be described as "other-worldly". A sweetness fills the air and the focus becomes absolutely Christ-centered. Churches benefit from church members who regularly make the Spirit-filled life their priority. 

2. Spirit-filled marriages. Ephesians 5:22-33
In the flesh, the idea of "submission" is viewed negatively. Moreover, the possibility of loving one's wife as Christ loved the church - i.e putting her needs ahead of my own, willing to die if need be, being the spiritual leader - is too-tall of an order in the flesh. Only the Spirit-filled wife and husband can achieve what is expected here in Ephesians 5:22-33. Harmony and unity result when both spouses are regularly led by the Holy Spirit. Just as we saw in the example of the Spirit-filled church, the Spirit-filled marriage will focus on Jesus Christ. 

3. Spirit-filled parenting. Ephesians 6:1-4
I find it interesting that the entire argument for the Spirit-filled life is not only for adult believers, but young Christians too. Parenting in the way God has prescribed can often be an exhausting chore. However when I yield myself to the Spirit's leading by way of daily time in the scripture, praying for my child and denying self - parenting in the name of Jesus becomes a delight. Conversely, whenever a little Christian child is taught to submit themselves to the Lord by practicing daily time in the Word, asking the Lord to lead them and most-importantly of all, mom and dad having Spirit-filled lives, the growing pains of child-hood can be greatly dampened.

I think at this point it is vital to remember that Spirit-filled living must not be conceived of as having immunity from pain, sorrow, difficulty, dissapointments and spiritual warfare. If anything, those negatives only increase due to the fact that Spirit-filled living cuts across the grain of natural human tendency. This is why the Spirit-filled life is a repeated experience post-conversion. Just as your car needs repeated fill-ups, so does the Christian walk. Perhaps this observation is no more realized than in the context of parenting.

4. Spirit-filled employment. Ephesians 6:5-10
Working on the job tests the patience of employees and employers alike. How can either make Godly decisions or treat each other in such a way that honors Christ? In the context of the work-a-day world, where there is often more unbelievers and believers, the Spirit-filled life is an utmost necessity. If an employee finds themselves as the only Christian among dozens (I've been there) or working for a boss who regularly pressures them to attempt things that are contrary to biblical convictions (I've been there as well), then the only way in which successful navigation can occur is the Spirit-filled life. To walk away from temptations, or opportunities to be lazy when the boss is not looking requires a Christian to be daily yielded to the Spirit of God. 

5. Spirit-filled spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:11-20.
We have seen the practical consequences of the Spirit-filled life, and the need for such a lifestyle, in the areas of worship (Ephesians 5:19-21); marriage (Ephesians 5:22-33); parenting (Ephesians 6:1-4) and the workplace (Ephesians 6:5-10). But now what about spiritual warfare? It becomes quickly appparent that the conflict we have in daily life is ultimately not just with people, but with spiritual forces influencing such people (see 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:11-12). Unless Christians are regularly availing themselves of the Holy Spirit's control in their lives, they will find themselves living in regular defeat. The Christian life balances on a razor thin edge between two realities: on the one hand we will sin (not by necessity but by choice) and on the other hand we can overcome any sin. Struggle accompanies the Christian life. I think too many times Christian focus only on this particular point. Struggle exists for the sake of victory, since one cannot overcome something that they first have not had to battle. To conceive of victorious Christian living without struggle and warfare is to live out of one's imagination. On the other hand, to conceive of a Christian life where one is constantly being defeated and with no-way-out is to have an incomplete theology. 

Paul's final section of Ephesians 6:11-20 takes these two sub-themes of struggle and victory and reveals that in the Spirit-filled life, there is going to be a great warfare. However, the sweet fruits of victory can be enjoyed in this life. Though we may never reach the point of sinless perfection in this life, yet the last time the Christian sinned, they didn't have to. Hatred for sin can only come about in direct proportion to my increasing love for Christ and imitation of the Father (sound familiar? see Ephesians 5:1-2).

Closing thoughts
Today we considered the practical consequences of the Spirit-filled life in the following areas: worship (Ephesians 5:19-21); marriage (Ephesians 5:22-33); parenting (Ephesians 6:1-4); the workplace (Ephesians 6:5-10) and spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:11-20). My prayer is that these series of posts, as well as the previous series, as opened up new vistas of realization for the reader. I close with Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1:18-20 - "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in thesaints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places."