The scene is the White House. One adviser stands on each side of the President. Intelligence sources are reporting that a hostile nation is preparing a domestic attack against the United States. One adviser pleads with the President to order a pre-emptive strike. He passionately gives strong reasons why this is what the U.S. must do to protect itself. Meanwhile the other adviser passionately pleads with the President to hold off. A pre-emptive strike, he says, will lead to a massive conflict, while waiting may reveal that this intelligence is unfounded. The President attentively listens to both arguments. Ultimately, however, he knows that the decision is his. He must choose a course of action, and siding with one adviser will necessarily mean that he sides against the other. He cannot follow both courses at once; he must choose a side.
On Sunday, we will look at a passage in which Paul talks about two options each Christian must choose between: the Spirit and the flesh. The Spirit has one agenda for our lives, while the flesh invites us to something completely different. Because of these two agendas, we can only follow the lead of one of them at any given time.
Both the Spirit and the flesh invite us to freedom. According to Paul, however, only one can deliver on that promise.
Dan
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