When we give our lives to Christ, when we are baptized into the family of God, why is it that there are difficult times, difficult days, temptations and failures? W.H. Branson gives the answer:
"But the experience of the new birth does not destroy the old nature. It is brought into subjection and is placed under control of the Spirit, but it is not eradicated. To the truthfulness of this fact every Christian can testify. Immediately to destroy all evil propensities would be to remove the new convert from all possibility of temptation. There could be no testing and trying, no growing in grace, no trusting in the keeping power of Christ to prevent from falling, no further mortifyng of the flesh, and no watchings unto prayer. The surrender of the soul to the control of the Spirit is tantamount to a declaration of war between the Spirit and the flesh. Hitherto the flesh has had full sway, and the general tendency of the life has been downward. Now the flesh is placed in a state of "crucifixion" but not of actual death. The flesh pleads continually for pity and recognition; stirred up by Satan, it seeks to regain the ascendency of power. 'For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other'" [Galatians 5:17] [The Holy Spirit, W.H. Branson pg. 67.2-.8. 1933
But there is this promise, "My little Children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." [1st John 2:2].
Have a safe and happy holiday!. God bless. e.c.
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