...it is necessary to return to that division of flesh and spirit which we have mentioned elsewhere. It most clearly reveals itself at this point. Therefore the godly heart feels in itself a division because it is partly imbued with sweetness from its recognition of the divine goodness, partly grieves in bitterness from an awareness of its calamity; partly rests upon the promise of the gospel, partly trembles at the evidence of its own iniquity; partly rejoices at the expectation of life, partly shudders at death. This perception arises from imperfection of faith, since in the course of this present life it never goes so well with us that we are wholly cured of the disease of unbelief and entirely filled and possessed by faith. Hence arise those conflicts; when unbelief, which reposes in the remains of the flesh, rises up to attack the faith that has been inwardly conceived.
Institutes 3.2.18 (Battles p.564)
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This recognition that the battle continues after our conversion, or perhaps in some ways it only really begins at our conversion, is one of the foundational truths that seems to have been lost under the carpet in recent decades. So many pastors and evangelists make it sound as if coming to Christ ends our suffering. When they make a "convert" then they think their work is done. Really then it has just begun.
When a woman gives birth to a baby, she doesn't set it on the sidewalk expecting that, having given it life her work was over!
The fact that faith in us is never quite perfected, and that the struggle to live in this new life we've been given in Christ has only begun at conversion, is one of the most important contributions of the historic Reformed theology. Great quote from a great man, Badger!
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