The New Life

The Conflict of the Christian.
to combat and overcome the enemies of his Lord and of the
kingdom. No sooner, however, we are willing that God should
have his way with us than we are found striving against God.
This also is truly conflict, but it is not the good fight of faith.
2. In Galatians v. reference is made to the inner conflict : for
the Galatians had not yet entirely surrendered themselves to
the Spirit, to walk after the Spirit. "The connection," says
Lange, *' shows that this conflict betwixt the flesh and the Spirit
of God is not endless, but that there is expected of the Christian
a complete surrender of himself, in order to be led only by the
one principle—the Spirit ; and then, further, a refusal to obey
the flesh." The believer must not strive against the flesh, to
overcome it : this he cannot do. What he is to do is to choose
to whom he will subject himself: by the surrender of faith to
Christ, to strive in Him through the Spirit, He has a divine
power for overcoming.
3. Hence, as we have seen in connection with the beginning
of the new life, our one work every day and the whole day is to
believe. Out of faith come all blessings and power, also the
victory for overcoming.