TWO NATURES
ROMANS 7:24-25 NKJV
24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
I must admit that Romans chapter 7 is one of the chapters I have focused upon the least.
At face value, it appears that Paul is saying that we have a sinful nature and just can't help ourselves.
That is partially correct. We do have a sinful nature even after coming to faith in Christ. But do not let that throw you.
This is very helpful information. Knowing we have a nature that has not been changed by the spiritual rebirth that took place when we accepted Jesus is helpful. Because we are forewarned.
At my first genuine commitment to the Lord, I was elated with my new relationship with Him. And for a short time, it seemed as if I was completely above sin. So, imagine my dismay when I found myself tempted and yielding to some of the same issues I had before I committed to Christ.
This is the place where Satan takes advantage of many new believers. When they deal with many of the same thoughts and feelings they experienced before Christ, he whispers that they were never really born again.
But if we know we have a nature that will still want to sin, we are better prepared to overcome.
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Paul was pointing to Jesus as being the answer to the two natures problem. Through Jesus, we have been made new creations. Now, our Christian walk is a function of putting off and resisting the old sin nature and putting on our new spiritual nature in Christ.
The beauty of our new nature in Christ is that now we have the spiritual strength to say no to sin. Now we are no longer under the authority of Satan and his kingdom. Now we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us.
Yes, we still have an old nature. No, our old nature is no longer the boss. No longer do we allow our old sin nature call the shots.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Lord, for the freedom You have purchased for me. I am free to serve You and say no to sin.