5/29/14- The Cause of Good II

Thence comes that continual battle which is between the flesh and Spirit in God's children, while the flesh and the natural man, being corrupt, lust for things pleasant and delightful to themselves, are envious in adversity and proud in prosperity, and every moment prone and ready to offend the majesty of God. But the Spirit of God, who bears witness to our spirit that we are the sons of God, makes us resist filthy pleasures and groan in God's presence for deliverance from this bondage of corruption, and finally to triumph over sin so that it does not reign in our mortal bodies. Other men do not share this conflict since they do not have God's Spirit, but they readily follow and obey sin and feel no regrets, since they act as the devil and their corrupt nature urge. But the sons of God fight against sin; sob and mourn when they find themselves tempted to do evil; and, if they fall, rise again with earnest and unfeigned repentance. They do these things, not by their own power, but by the power of the Lord Jesus, apart from whom they can do nothing. (Scots 11b- The Cause of Good Works)

Apart from me you can do nothing.  (John 15)

13For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

14For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.^f And by him we cry, “Abba,^gFather.” 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:13-16)

Thoughts :Fight the good fight of the faith.  The Spirit of God is continually fighting against our earthly desires.  The Spirit enables us to overcome- and be led by Him into green pastures and still waters.  Apart from God's power, we are dead in our sins with no desire to do good.  God gives us the desire and the power to do good.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, lead me and enable me to do your good work to make this world a better place.

The Holy Spirit is like the power station that enables us to go.