The Flesh wars against the Spirit naturally. But by Grace the Lord instills a new heart which wants to follow him. This too is not of ourselves, but of Christ.
{My Bible Study, in support of Grace – not works.}
By Grace
Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Luke 23:43 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Romans 5:10 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Luke 9:23, 24 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [a]daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
Sanctification, is the process in which our sinful human nature is gradually exchanged for the Lord’s divine nature, when we move in obedience to God’s will in our life, and deny ourselves in putting to death the sinful lusts and selfishness of our fallen flesh.
Romans 12:2; 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Even this is because we have been given a new heart)
2 Corinthians 3:18 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as [a]by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Peter 1:3-4 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the [a]corruption that is in the world through lust. (By his grace alone)
The sufferings of Christ mostly is speaking about the inner sufferings which Christ experienced when He denied himself (his own will) and was put to death on the cross. He denied his own will when He was tempted by Satan, and chose to obey God instead. This also refers to Christ’s physical sufferings which he endured.
1 Peter 4:1 4 Therefore, since Christ suffered [a]for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin (Faith)
Colossians 1:24 24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church (His Elect)
Hebrews 2:18 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being [a]tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
1 Peter 1:9-11 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. (Telling of Christ’s atonement)
*John 15:5 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (*Seek first the Lord)
2 Thessalonians 2:14 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (Listen, Pay Attention to Him)
(My footnotes)
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