The Christian’s warfare against unholy natural tendencies, appetites, and passions consists of two steps. The first is a considered, firm, fixed, irrevocable decision to surrender the heart and will to Christ so that He may purge every wrong tendency from the life. This decision is to be reaffirmed every day, and as often during the day as temptations may arise or one may fall short of the mark of perfection. Only thus can the Christian carry out the command to present his body
“a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God” (see on
Rom. 12:1). God accepts this resolute decision of the will and proceeds with the heavenly work of transforming the life (
Rom. 12:2) and conforming it to the likeness of Christ. This is the process of sanctification, of attaining
“the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (
Eph. 4:13). For comment on the Christian’s status during the course of this process see on
Matt. 5:48. The Christian may still make mistakes (see MYP 338), though not deliberately, but so long as he comes to Christ, genuinely repentant (
Heb. 4:15, 16; 1 John 2:1) and reaffirming his original vow of loyalty, he is still acknowledged a son of God and granted the privilege of wearing the robe of Christ’s righteousness (see on
Matt. 22:1-14). Discouragement may arise because of failure, when we attempt to defeat sin in our own strength rather than rely on God’s power, or when we fail to cooperate with God (see
Phil. 2:12, 13). There is also danger in contentment with our present accomplishments, danger in measuring our progress by that of others around us. The crucifying of the flesh is a warfare from which there is no release in this life. Nevertheless the Christian’s experience may be one of continuous victory in Christ Jesus, and of rising immediately whenever he may fall. See on
Rom. 7:25 to 8:4;
1 John 5:4.