Overcome Old Sin Nature

Romans 8:13 - "for if you live according to the flesh you will die but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."

With Holy Spirit help I seek to overcome my old nature of sin and ungodliness. My desire is to be a new person in Jesus. I cannot do this in my own power but need God to do it with me. God cannot or will not do it without my consent or cooperation."

The ESV Study Bible note on verse 13 says, "Those who give their lives over to the flesh will face eternal death, but those who slay the desires of the flesh through the power of the Spirit will enjoy eternal life. God and believers each have a role in sanctification; it must be by the Spirit and his power, but you put to death shows that one must take an active role in battling sinful habits."

I Kings 3:5 "At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night and God said, "Ask what I should give you." I believe God comes to each of us offering the same statement, "Ask what I should give you." Or to use Jesus' words to a blind beggar, "What do you want me to do for you?"
So I ask "What do I want the Lord to do for me?" I seek to be honest with God and make my requests as best I can. I am encouraged to know from Romans 8:26 that Holy Spirit intercedes or prays for me according to the will of God. And as the ESV study note puts it, "God always answers the requests of the Spirit in the affirmative, since the Spirit always prays in accord with God's will."
Not only does Holy Spirit pray for me but Romans 8:33-34 declares "Who shall bring any charge against God's elect?" It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died -- more than that, who was raised -- who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." Jesus is praying for me; praying for all who believe in him. There can be no greater effective intervention on our behalf than that provided by Jesus and Holy Spirit. We can take comfort in knowing that whatever charges Satan or our consciences bring against us we can never be found guilty if we have come to faith in Jesus Christ.

One final lectionary verse from this past week; Psalm 119:133 - "Keep my steps steady according to Your promise, and never let iniquity have dominion over me." It is right to seek the truth of God's word for the guidance and direction of my life. I want to honor and glorify God through my living. I want to resist sin and ungodliness. I am sorry for the old nature ways that come out in my life. I shake my head in sorrow and question why it must be that way after all these years of confessing faith in Jesus. So it is that I go back to where I started this writing. I cast myself on the mercy and grace of God which has been revealed to me through the person of Jesus and which I have come to believe through the power of the Holy Spirit.