“We are all like an unclean thing” (Isaiah 64:6)

When God turns a sinner into a saint, he’s made a new creature – his heart is changed supernaturally and his spirit can be led by the indwelling Holy Spirit; but for all that, the Christian is still, in himself, a sinner. He’ll still have to put to death the deeds of his flesh, and fight his Old Man as long as he lives on Earth.

The apostle Paul compared his life to running a race, and fighting to win a prize. “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it … Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:24–27).

Paul was a good example of the experiential holiness to which a Christian can attain on Earth, but he still was affected by his flesh and Old Man enough to be worthy of Hell. But praise God, though sin dwelt within him, its power was broken. It had no dominion; he died with Christ and lived unto righteousness. He still had to fight his flesh and his Old man, but they were vanquished foes, and shortly after he wrote his letter, he entered Heaven where nothing defiles.

You are no better than Paul. Every night when you look in the mirror, you will see a sinner, and you need to confess, “I am like an unclean thing, And all my righteousness is as filthy rags … But now, O LORD, You are my Father; I am the clay, and You are my potter” (Isaiah 64:6–8).

So, “if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:13–14).

.