I suppose we struggle from a lack of definition of "resistence."
BFA
BFA,
Another picture that comes to me is Paul's witness concerning the "conflict" that he experienced.
Phil 1:28-30
28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is
to them an evident
token of perdition,
but to you of salvation, and that of God.
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ,
not only to believe on him, but also to
suffer for his sake;
30 Having the same
conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
KJV
Phil 1:20-21
20 According to my earnest expectation and
my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be
magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
21 For to me to
live is Christ, and to
die is gain.KJV
1 Cor 9:25-27
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so
run, not as uncertainly; so
fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I
keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I
myself should be a castaway....KJV
The faith that worked in Paul's consciousness ( Romans 5:1 ) and the grace that worked in Paul's body ( Romans 5:2-5: 1 Corinthians 15:10;9:16,17 ) were polemic one toward the other, even as sweet and bitter are polemic toward each other, yet needful and dependent to fulfill maturity of purpose.
Phil 1:23-24
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a
desire to depart, and
to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to
abide in the flesh is more needful for you.KJV
Faith is sweet in our heart and our mouth. Thus we are brought into the family of the priesthood.
The experience of grace and its accompanying tribulations is bitter in our belly. But we glory in infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon us that we may fulfill our calling in ministry to the saints.
Rev 10:10-11
10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was
in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it,
my belly was bitter.
11 And he said unto me, Thou must
prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. KJV
Joe