The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Galatians 5:16 Question

Believers ... true believers are indwelt by the Spirit AND they are not perfected in this life but rather still possess a remnant of their old nature. Thus, there is a war within the believer where the sinfulness remaining influences the new nature as the believer is being conformed to the image of Christ. Thus, we see in the Epistles, e.g., Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, they being divided into two parts; the first being basically doctrinal in emphasis and the latter being praxis (application to life of the previous doctrines). In those latter sections there are myriad injunctions to "do" this and that; to live in this manner and to not live in that manner. It is the Spirit who guides, strengthens and enables believers to walk by the Spirit, to pray in the Spirit, etc. Sanctification is 'synergistic' (cf. Eph 2:8-10; Phi. 2:12,13; et al). All the injunctions are addressed to believers and NOT to the Spirit. They are responsible to put off the old man and to put on the new according to the Spirit. And lastly, as you are surely aware, Paul's autobiographical record found the the second half of Romans 7 teaches and illustrates this dichotomy, war, suffering, and striving that exists with the final word of victory to all who are truly "in Christ".