Bible Discussion Thread

In V. 19, I feel, Paul is defining the flesh aspect of his person before he elaborates on the marvelous spirit of life in Christ Jesus of 8:2-6. The religious efforts of a christian who dwells on his obvious failures and wills to overcome them before feeling presentable to God, are sure to fail, whereas the same person who "reckons himself to be dead indeed unto sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord"(Rom.6:11), will be surprised at the victories being wrought within him. I think, Paul was walking in victorious freedom, but reminding us not to turn back to will effort. As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him( Col. 2:6). Claiming the promised new creation in Christ and denying what we see and feel, is not a lie. In Eph. 6:10-18, Paul tells us to dress ourselves with the virtues of Christ; truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Spirit(which is God speaking). Paul believed the promises, that in Christ, he had these virtues, and he knew how to apply them to his life. The enemy tries to get us to limit the,"exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature"(2 Pet.1:4).