“For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.”
(2 Corinthians 13:8)
One of the most remarkable evidences of God’s saving work in the soul is the change He produces in a person’s relationship to truth and sin. Before conversion, our heart may be restrained by fear, influenced by education, persuaded by arguments, or checked by conscience, yet it remains fundamentally unchanged. We may resist sin for a season, but our resistance often lasts no longer than the force of the argument that opposed it.
The regenerate person, on the other hand, experiences something entirely different. God does not simply place better arguments before the mind; He implants a new principle within the soul. He creates a new nature that possesses an inward affinity for holiness and an inward hostility toward sin. This does not remove the believer’s daily struggle with his sin nature but it introduces a new reality that was previously absent. There is now within the Christian an abiding principle that loves what God loves and hates what God hates.
An unregenerate person may resist sin because of logical considerations, fear of consequences, concern for reputation, or awareness of judgment. Such motives may work for a time, but they do not come from a renewed nature. The regenerate believer, however, possesses an inward aversion to sin itself. Just as certain creatures instinctively recoil from what threatens them, so the new nature recoils from sin because it is contrary to God.
This helps explain why believers often experience an immediate inward resistance when confronted with temptation. Before they have considered every biblical argument, before they have carefully reasoned through every consequence, something within them rises against the evil being presented. The Holy Spirit has implanted a principle of life that is fundamentally opposed to sin. This does not mean believers never fall. Scripture and experience teach otherwise. Yet even when they stumble, there remains an inward conflict that testifies to the presence of grace.
The apostle John speaks of this reality when he declares that God’s seed remains in the believer, meaning the new nature cannot make peace with sin. It cannot embrace sin as its governing principle. The life imparted by God remains opposed to the dominion of evil.
Joseph gives us a beautiful example of this truth. When confronted with powerful temptation, he did not just consider the earthly consequences. He did not simply think about the danger to his reputation or position. Instead, grace spoke from within his heart: “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” His response revealed more than sound reasoning. It revealed a renewed heart that found the proposed sin repulsive because it was an offense against the Lord.
Paul expresses a similar principle in the verse before us: “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” The apostle is not claiming personal perfection. Rather, he acknowledges the governing direction of a renewed life. The truth of God had captured his heart. His deepest desire was no longer to oppose the truth but to serve it. Though weakness remained, the fundamental orientation of his life had been changed by grace.
Indeed, we are able to continue in the faith and stay faithful because God has performed a supernatural work within our soul. The same grace that justified us also renews us. The same Christ who forgives also sanctifies.[1]
This reality becomes especially precious during seasons of temptation. Many Christians become discouraged because they still experience inward conflict. Yet the conflict itself often serves as evidence of spiritual life. Dead hearts do not wage war against sin. The struggle exists because grace has entered the battlefield. The new nature resists what the old nature once embraced without question.
Though the Spirit’s work of sanctification will never be fully complete in this life, it is real. We can therefore look at the conflict within and give thanks that God has begun a good work in us which He will surely bring to completion.
Contemplations:
- My Gratitude for the Work of Grace Within Me. When I consider the affections of my own heart, I recognize that any genuine love for truth has come from God alone. Left to myself, I would have continued to prefer my own ways rather than His. Yet the Lord has graciously placed within me new desires that were not naturally present. Though I still struggle with temptation and weakness, I am thankful that there is now within me a sincere longing to please Christ. That longing is evidence of His work and not my own.
- My Gratitude for the Conflict Against Sin. There are times when I become discouraged by the inward battles I experience. Yet this passage reminds me that the very existence of that struggle is itself a mercy. The fact that I grieve over sin, resist temptation, and desire holiness shows that God has changed me. I experience conflict now because the Spirit has created new affections that oppose what once ruled me.
- My Gratitude for Christ’s Preserving Power. When I consider how often I have been tempted, I realize how dependent I am on Christ’s continual preservation. There have been many occasions when arguments alone would not have been enough to keep me from wandering. Yet the Lord restrained me, convicted me, and redirected my heart. Looking back, I can see His faithful hand sustaining me even when I did not fully recognize it at the time. That realization fills me with gratitude and humility.
- My Gratitude for the Triumph of Truth. I am thankful that God’s truth is stronger than every opposition raised against it. Human philosophies rise and fall. Errors flourish for a while and then disappear. Yet God’s truth remains unchanged. More importantly, His truth has taken hold of my heart. Though I fail to live as consistently as I want, I am grateful that the direction of my life is now toward Christ and His truth rather than away from Him.
Prayer (Thanksgiving)
Gracious Father, thank You for the transforming power of Your grace. Thank You that salvation is not just a change in my standing before You, it is also the beginning of a change within me. You have not only pardoned my sin through Christ, You have also begun the work of renewing my heart.
I am grateful for every evidence of spiritual life that You plant within Your people. Thank You for the love of truth, the hatred of sin, the desire for holiness, and the longing to please Christ. These things do not arise naturally from fallen hearts. They are the fruits of Your gracious work through the Holy Spirit.
Lord, thank You that when temptation comes, You do not leave Your people to stand alone. Again and again You strengthen, restrain, convict, and preserve. I know You have delivered me from countless dangers which I scarcely recognized.
Thank You for the example of saints such as Joseph and Paul, whose lives demonstrate the power of grace. Their testimonies remind me that Your truth can take such hold of the heart that a believer increasingly desires what pleases You. Thank You that the same grace that worked in them continues to work in Your people today.
Thank You for the inward conflict that proves spiritual life. I am grateful that You have not left me content with sin. Thank You for every conviction, every godly sorrow, every renewed desire for obedience, and every evidence that Your Spirit continues His sanctifying work.
Most of all, thank You for the Lord Jesus Christ. Through His death I have forgiveness. Through His resurrection I have hope. Through His intercession I have continual preservation. Through His Spirit I have the promise of final victory over sin. Every blessing I possess comes through Him.
Continue Your work in my heart until the day when faith becomes sight and the struggle against sin is ended forever. Until then, help me to walk in gratitude, humility, and dependence upon Your grace.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further References for 2 Corinthians 13:8:
Matt. 22:16; John 16:13; Heb. 10:26; 3 John 1:3
[1] Thomas Goodwin, The Works of Thomas Goodwin, vol. 10 (Edinburgh: James Nichol, 1865), 271-272.
