The new creature in Christ lives in our fallen flesh. We will never get things under total control until we are resurrected in perfection.
The great apostle Paul wrote, “15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do…18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do–this I keep on doing. … 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.” Romans 7:15, 18-19, 22-25 (NIV).
But we never stop trying to become more Christ-like. It is through this struggle that we learn and develop. For example, how does a person develop patience? Through enduring trials which require patience. How do we learn to love our enemies? By experiencing opposition from others and then by obeying God’s will to love them even when they hurt us.
As the apostle James wrote, “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 (CSB) Therefore, “give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2 Peter 1:10.
