When we were birthed into this world we became part of Adam's human race! We also inherited the sin nature! Why do people sin? It's their nature! They're simply doing what comes natural to them.
Eph.2:2 - You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin,
obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the
spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All
of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of
our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were
under God's anger just like everyone else.
The sin nature, or the "old self" as it is also referred, is in the eyes of God seen as evil. We need to cultivate this same understanding of our old self! The conflict between the nature of Adam and the nature of Jesus can be very hostile! The transfer of authority in our lives is never without great resistance! The "old self" once manipulated and controlled by the powers of darkness does not want to relinquish dominion in our lives. It's a good idea for you to know the character traits of the sin nature. It will help you to identify your enemy. Here's a list. It's not exaustive, but it's a good starting place for you.
The Adamic Sin Nature = The Old Self
Mk.7:20-23; Rom.1:29,30; Gal.5:17-21; Eph. 4:19-22,31; Col.3:5-8
evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness,
deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, foolishness, hate,
envy, murder, fighting, deception, malicious behavior, gossip, backstabbing,
hating God, insolent, proud, boastful, disobedient to parents, breaking
promises, heartless, unforgiving, impure thinking, idolatry, participation in
demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish
ambition, divisions, feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own
little group, envy, drunkenness, wild partying, greedy, rage, malicious
behavior, slander, dirty language
Now compare this with the "New nature that God has birthed in your heart (spirit) by the power of His Holy Spirit. The list below is not meant to be exaustive.
The New Nature = The Jesus Nature
Gal. 5:22,23; Col.3:12-15; 1 Cor.13:4-7; Jas 3:17; Eph.4:32
loving, joyful, peaceful, patience, kind, good, faithful, gentle, self-controlled,
tenderhearted, merciful, humble, gentle, making allowance for other's faults,
forgiving, thankful, not jealous, not boastful, not proud, not rude, not
demanding, not irritable, not holding a grudge, not glad about injustice,
rejoicing whenever the truth wins out, hopeful, enduring, willing to yield to
others, not given to partiality, sincere, tenderhearted
The conflict between the old and new natures is extremely personal and the outcome will be, determined by the individual! God has given everyone of His people the power to live for Him. The choice He leaves with us! Ph. 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire AND the power to do what pleases Him. What an encouragement it is to know that God has invested so heavily in our spiritual success. He has purposed our success and given us the power to realize it!
Jesus came into our lives through invitation! He didn't force himself upon us! Yes He certainly influenced our lives with His loving grace but never did He force us to say yes to Him. Me must be determined to have Jesus Lord over every area of our lives!
Col 2:6 - And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your
Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to him.
The wording of this verse is so interesting, "just as", meaning, "exactly the same way you received Jesus Christ into your life"! Using that same method we are to continue having Him as Lord! The proof of Jesus Lordship in our lives is very basic! Obedience!
There must be the basic desire to live the kind of life Jesus has purposed for us! The first generation of "exodus Israelites" failed to experience God's will for their lives! Scripture informs us they simply didn't believe God. They chose not to embrace the plan of God for their lives which resulted in them wandering through the desert wilderness of doubt, fear and unbelief until they died off! It would be wonderful if this kind of behavior was limited to Old Covenant life only! It's not! We still win or loose by what we choose! The beauty of New Covenant is, God has given us the power to made His will ours.
Ph.2:13 - For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey
him and the power to do what pleases him.
It would be great if the transfer of power from the sin nature to the Jesus nature was smooth without resistance. Not so!
Gal. 5:17 - The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just
opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us
desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires.
These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your
choices are never free from this conflict.
How do we win in this conflict? Is there any hope at all? It's always refreshing to keep in mind the major reason for Jesus death on the cross. Jesus came to destroy the devil and his work. Jesus came to conquer sin. Sin has no place in God's eternal kingdom! It should have no place in our lives! None!
Heb 2:14 ¶ Because God's children are human beings-made of
flesh and blood-Jesus also became flesh and blood by being born
in human form. For only as a human being could he die, and only
by dying could he break the power of the Devil, who had the
power of death.
1Jn.3:8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows they belong
to the Devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the
Son of God came to destroy these works of the Devil. 9
Those who have been born into God's family do not sin, because
God's life is in them. So they can't keep on sinning, because they
have been born of God.
The whole point of Jesus death on the cross was to free of from the power of sin! This includes freedom from the penalty of sin yet must never be limited to that only. Jesus' salvation provides power to stop sinning. Anything associated with the old nature will be manifest as sin. This needs to be taken very soberly and seriously. Sin simply does not honor the Lord Jesus Christ!
1 Jn. 3:4 -Those who sin are opposed to the law of God, for all sin
opposes the law of God. 5 And you know that Jesus came to take away
our sins, for there is no sin in him. 6 So if we continue to live in him, we
won' sin either. But those who keep on sinning have never known him or
understood who he is. 7 Dear children, don't let anyone deceive you about
this: When people do what is right, it is because they are righteous, even
as Christ is righteous. 8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows they
belong to the Devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the
Son of God came to destroy these works of the Devil. 9 Those who have
been born into God's family do not sin, because God's life is in them. So
they can't keep on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 So
now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the Devil.
Anyone who does not obey God's commands and does not love other
Christians does not belong to God.
This is not to assume sinless perfection but it does assume an attitude that longs to avoid sinning. There is nothing worse than the sense of total devastation that occurs when the Holy Spirit bring upon us conviction of sin! What then? We serve a loving God who understands and has made full provision for every need that will ever arise during life's journey with Jesus!
1Jo 2:1 - My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will
not sin. But if you do sin, there is someone to plead for you
before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who pleases God
completely.
What has been established through the Lord Jesus Christ is freedom from the penalty of sin, freedom from the power of sin and a means of restoration if we do happen to fall into sin on occasion!
Rom. 6:18 - Now you are free from sin, your old master, and you
have become slaves to your new master, righteousness.
Having established the fact that Jesus' salvation means living free from sin lets now consider the practical and personal steps necessary to allowing the new "Jesus nature" to have dominion in our lives!
One of the first things we need to understand is that there is a spiritual growth process, taking place in our lives. The "new self" takes up residence within when we are "Born Again". At this time the "new self" is like a new born baby within us. This new life is destined by God to grow and mature releasing more and more Christ-likeness in and through us.
Eph. 2:10 - For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us
anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he
planned for us long ago.
Eph. 4:24 - You must display a new nature because you are a
new person, created in God's likeness-righteous, holy, and
true.
Col. 3:10 - In its place you have clothed yourselves with a brand
new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn
more and more about Christ, who
created this new nature within you.
There is no Scriptural doubt as to our spiritual potential in Christ! The possibility for Christ-likeness is our New Covenant Land of Promise. The challenge is to believe it and start taking possession of it. Remember that as a New Believer you have just started on your spiritual journey into Christ-likeness. It's a growth process and you will and you will arrive at your spiritual destiny as you continue seeking and serving the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep Him first and stay focused on Jesus.
In conclusion: Inner conflict is normal Christian living. Victory over the old nature is normal Christian living. God will never force His victory upon us. We must desire it and trust Him for the victory. Look away from from yourself and all human effort and look to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith. Victory is about Jesus. It's Him! It's His power and He loves to share it with you.
