[From the explanation of the Small Catechism 2017:303] Question: How do the old Adam and the new man interact? Answer: They are engaged in an ongoing life-and-death struggle with each other

“For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do” Galatians 5:17

I have no idea concerning the intricacies within the sport of wrestling. But what I do know is that practice and preparation is vital. From defensive to offensive, any wrestler [albeit any athlete] prepares for competition with training, repetition and endurance.

Though I have never wrestled in my life, yet after reading Galatians 5, you and I both have entered the ring. For the old Adam [Eph4:22-the fallen nature due to sin] wrestles with the new man [2Cor5:17-the new creation in Christ Jesus] as this an ongoing struggle between the two.

Yet we must ask, “are we ready for the fight?” And even a more pointed question “What fight are we truly fighting?”

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God” Eph 6:12-13a.

The great deception is the failure to see the true wrestle that is not of flesh and blood but rather is of the devil, the world and the flesh. If we fail to see this reality we also proceed in completely different way. Rather than with the armor of God, we battle with human things. Whether it be your own human will and strength, your intellect and knowledge and even your pride, we tell ourselves, “if I only achieve this, my life will be better”. “If I only gain this, everything will be in place”. Have you ever said something of this sort? We all have, and thus we see our idolatrous sin that seeks its refuge in human things.

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God”

It is not your fight. The weaponry of your human hands cannot overcome the devil the world and the flesh. There- fore we trust in the work of Christ as He conquers and destroys the devil and his work. We take up the whole ar- mor of God that is given through the Word. And thus we must hear His Word as the Spirit convicts by the law and comforts us by the good news of the Gospel. And there we rest upon the promises of God, that in faith, just as Christ promised, “I have overcome the world” [Jn16:33], we take heart in the one who stood firm at Calvary for us. Yes, the battle is all too real. The devil harasses and attacks in every which way, yet Christ has conquered the battle for you.

Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
Have Mercy

Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
Have Mercy

Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
Have Mercy.

Indeed, the battle has been won!

+PrJ

✝️ Pastor Jeong

The full newsletter can be found here:
https://www.faithmoorpark.com/files/pdf/2022/2022-03-Newsletter.pdf