Our wrestle
V. 10. Though the redemption purchased by Christ, as described in this
epistle, is so complete and so free, yet between the beginning and the
consummation of the work there is a protracted conflict. This is not a
figure of speech. It is something real and arduous. Salvation, however
gratuitous, is not to be obtained without great effort. The Christian conflict
is not only real, it is difficult and dangerous. It is one in which true
believers are often grievously wounded; and multitudes of reputed
believers entirely succumb. It is one also in which great mistakes are often
committed and serious loss incurred from ignorance of its nature, and of
the appropriate means for carrying it on. Men are apt to regard it as a mere
moral conflict between reason and conscience on the one side, and evil
passions on the other. They therefore rely on their own strength, and upon
the resources of nature for success. Against these mistakes the apostle
warns his readers. He teaches that everything pertaining to it is
supernatural. The source of strength is not in nature. The conflict is not
between the good and bad principles of our nature. He shows that we
belong to a spiritual, as well as to a natural world, and are engaged in a
combat in which the higher powers of the universe are involved; and that
this conflict, on the issue of which our salvation depends, is not to be
carried on with straws picked up by the wayside. As we have superhuman
enemies to contend with, we need not only superhuman strength, but
divine armor and arms. The weapons of our warfare are not natural, but
divine.epistle, is so complete and so free, yet between the beginning and the
consummation of the work there is a protracted conflict. This is not a
figure of speech. It is something real and arduous. Salvation, however
gratuitous, is not to be obtained without great effort. The Christian conflict
is not only real, it is difficult and dangerous. It is one in which true
believers are often grievously wounded; and multitudes of reputed
believers entirely succumb. It is one also in which great mistakes are often
committed and serious loss incurred from ignorance of its nature, and of
the appropriate means for carrying it on. Men are apt to regard it as a mere
moral conflict between reason and conscience on the one side, and evil
passions on the other. They therefore rely on their own strength, and upon
the resources of nature for success. Against these mistakes the apostle
warns his readers. He teaches that everything pertaining to it is
supernatural. The source of strength is not in nature. The conflict is not
between the good and bad principles of our nature. He shows that we
belong to a spiritual, as well as to a natural world, and are engaged in a
combat in which the higher powers of the universe are involved; and that
this conflict, on the issue of which our salvation depends, is not to be
carried on with straws picked up by the wayside. As we have superhuman
enemies to contend with, we need not only superhuman strength, but
divine armor and arms. The weapons of our warfare are not natural, but