The Spirit of God leads us in putting to death the deeds of our body. We cannot drive the sin out of ourselves. We must follow the Spirit into battle against the enemy. The Spirit delivers the enemy into our hand, and we put the sin to death by denouncing it in the name of Jesus the Lord. The Spirit shows us how to gain victory over each sin.

God gives us victory over some sins as soon as we make the effort to put them to death. In other instances we fight a long battle. If we do not compromise but are determined to attain the resurrection, the Spirit leads us to total victory. We never are to give up. Total victory is both possible and necessary. The rewards go to the victorious saints.

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15)

When the knowledge of his sin comes to an individual under the Law of Moses he or she experiences condemnation.

When the knowledge of his sin comes to a Christian he rejoices in Christ because he knows the Lord Jesus will give him total victory over his sin. Under the new covenant he cannot be forced to sin. Jesus has the power to deliver him. He or she is then responsible to follow the Holy Spirit to total victory over the sin by confessing the sin, repenting of it, and then resisting the devil in the future.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Romans 8:16)

The new life that has been born in us is of God. It is an assurance to us that we are without condemnation and are on the way toward the fullness of redemption. If we choose to follow the Spirit in faith, fighting our way through every obstacle and enemy, we will emerge as sons of God. God has provided every grace. It is up to us to not be like faithless Israel but believing and confident in our God.

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17)

The inheritance of Christ includes all things, especially the nations of the earth and the earth itself. We have been destined to share in the inheritance. In order to do so we must suffer with Him. We must go outside the camp with Him, bearing the reproach, the shame and disgrace that always fall on those who represent God among men.

All things appear to come against us when we reveal in ourselves the righteousness and life of the coming Kingdom of God. The adversaries are many. Satan is not worried about the activities of the churches. The churches can preach all they want to about going to Heaven. None of this is of major concern to Satan.

Satan's concern is the bringing of righteousness and eternal life into the earth, because he considers the earth and the nations to be his possession. As soon as we come out of the babylonish (man-made, man-centered, man-directed) beliefs and practices of organized religion and seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, we experience the sufferings of the cross.

To be continued.