It is my understanding that Saul of Tarsus surrendered to Jesus Christ on the road outside Damascus on January 25, AD 32. Three days later he was baptized in the Spirit as Ananias laid hands upon him and then was subsequently baptized in water.
He wrote an epistle (we call it the Book of Romans) to believers in Rome during the December AD 56 and January and February AD 57) time that he was in Corinth (ref
Acts 20:2-3). This was a quarter of a century after he met the Lord and in that epistle he admitted that he had problems with his sinful nature. Romans chapter 6 tells us that we have died to sin and are alive to God. That is our position in Christ. Chapter 7 tells us of our current condition as we battle the old nature. It's not a pretty picture.
Romans 8 is full of good stuff about the Holy Spirit and how He helps us live for God. But, right smack in the middle is Romans chapter 7 which brings us back down to earth. It is my understanding that we will always struggle with the flesh (our old man, our old nature) until we die or until we receive our new glorified bodies at the first resurrection (whichever comes first).
In my opinion, as long as you get back up and try again after a fall, that is what counts.
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