ers, against the world
rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual host of wickedness in the
heavenlies." In view of this opposition of Satan, it is still more
evident that the requirements of the Christian life are beyond any human
power.

So, also, there is a fallen human nature within the child of God, which
is prone to dishonor God, and is itself beyond the control of the human
will. This important and much misunderstood truth is taken up at length
in Rom. 7:14-25: "For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am
carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I
would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that
which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it
is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in
me (that is, in my flesh), dwelleth no good thing: for to will is
present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For
the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I
do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin
that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good,
evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the
inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law
of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in
my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body
of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with
the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of
sin."

This battle between the old nature and the new is, then, never gained
for God by human power or by religious exercise: but through Christ
alone.

Thus the believer is confronted with a threefold impossibility as he
contemplates his heavenly responsibility. First: The heavenly position
demands a manner of life that is beyond any human possibility. Second:
The enemy is stronger than he, and can thwart every resolution. Third:
His own fallen nature entices him to do positive evil when he would do
good. Notwithstanding this threefold impossibility, there is a clear
call to a victorious life, wherein every thought is brought into
captivity to the obedience of Jesus Christ (II Cor. 10:5), and if he
fails by one degree, he will dishonor the God who has called him.

Where, then, is the relief from this dilemma? It is found only in the
power of God. He has provided a c