Over the last few days I have been reading again about the deliverance of Israel from the bondage of Egypt. Through the years I have been increasingly persuaded that in this event the Pharaoh stands as a type of the old nature.
In this historical event we find that Pharaoh never fully turns from his intent to keep the people of Israel under his control. When the plagues get particularly uncomfortable he will make some concessions only to return to his old incorrigible self.
I think this serves to illustrate to us the uselessness of reform. It is the idea of turning from sin in the power of the flesh. It is my belief that God’s people struggle with this battle mostly because they refuse to acknowledge the presence and wickedness of their own nature. The battle is further exacerbated by their intent to maintain personal control of their own life. The thought of abandoning their life and future to God is altogether too threatening to them. Unfortunately this just condemns them to a continual struggle, because God will never abandon His children to their fleshly nature.
As long as man insists to hold on to his own autonomy in one hand and God in the other this battle will continue. There must come a time in the life of every believer when they say no to the flesh and yes to God. It is imperative that they learn to identify the flesh as an unwelcome and unwholesome part of their being and mark “him” as an enemy. This is what the content of Romans seven and eight teaches.
