Negotiators, of all kinds, prefer to work, from what is called, a position of strength. Because they have a lot going for them from that position theres more confidence for favourable results. They're bolder in their demands and more aggressive in their pursuit! As we start seeing our true spiritual position we too become much more aggressive in our pursuit of Christ-likeness.

Positioned by Natural Birth: "IN ADAM"
One thing we all have in common; we've all been positioned in this physical world through natural birth! We didn't have a whole lot of choice in the matter but here we are! Being birthed into the human race, the physical family of Adam, results in an inheritance. Because of our position in Adam we receive from him the fallen human nature otherwise known as the sinful nature. This brings with it major problems. 1 Corinthians 15:22 - For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.(NIV) Our birth right in Adam just happens to be death. Take a few minutes and look at the Adamic nature. Below is a character trait list of the sin nature
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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 This is not an exhaustive list of the old nature

The death spoken of here embraces the spiritual as well as the physical. For the soul and spirit to be separated from the physical body at death is one thing. To have them eternally separated from God is totally another! Death is much more than a physical departure!

To be "in Adam" is to be an object of Gods wrath. Ephesians 2:3 - All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. The dilemma facing Adams race is how to rid ourselves of sin and to get out from under Gods wrath. The death penalty for sin makes this pursuit humanly hopeless. Theres simply know way for Adams race, by human methods, to establish "right relationship" with the holy and just God. Ephesians 2:12 - In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from Gods people, Israel, and you did not know the promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. Into this hopeless, helpless picture steps the Lord Jesus Christ.

Repositioned by Spiritual Birth: "IN CHRIST"
As the "God Man" (He was mothered from earth but Fathered from heaven [Rom.4:3,4] ) Jesus was holy and completely without sin. 1 Peter 1:19 - He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God came to this earth in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. He lived in the same world as you and I, tempted in every way yet did not sin. Hebrews 4:15 - For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. As a result of His sinlessness He had no death penalty of His own to pay and therefore was the only One capable of rescuing the human race.

Seeing that God was the offended party in the rebellion of sin He's the One that must be appeased and He's the One who's chosen the method of appeasement. He has said that no one can even see the kingdom of God unless they are "Born Again". (The meaning of "Born Again" is to be born from above or to be born of God.)

How did we get into Adam? We were birthed into him! How do we get into Christ? By being birthed into Him! 2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (NIV) I believe it's essential to really understand this. When we repent of sin and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour a spiritual birth takes place. We enter "Christ's race of the redeemed". We are a "new creation" in Christ! When "in Adam" we have Adams fallen sin nature, when in Christ we have His divine nature. Take a few minutes and look over the new nature . It's a big help if we know what to expect in our lives. Below is a character trait list of the new nature.

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  This is not an exhaustive list

A New Creation With A New Position Of Strength
I want you to stop and think about this next statement! If you are truly "born of God" you can no longer honestly say, "I'm only human". At salvation we not only enter into Christ, He enters into us. Col.1:27- For it has pleased God to tell his people that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. For this is the secret: Christ lives in you, and this is your assurance that you will share in his glory. Jesus by His Holy Spirit is resident within us. He has become apart of us resulting in a whole new species! A new creation! Something the world had never seen before! 2 Cor.5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! Were different! We have new life and therefore should expect to experience and live in the dynamics of that new life. There will be distinct changes take place in our behaviour if were really Born of God . Take a few minutes and look over some Scriptures that help clarify our position of strength, In Christ .

Prayer Suggestion: Heavenly Father, thank you for all you have done for we through the Lord Jesus Christ. Help we to understand and to fully embrace the full message of this new life that you have given me. Help me to see that you have given me a whole new position "IN CHRIST". I want to receive all that you have for in the here and now and I want that you would be blessed through what you are able to accomplish in and through my life. In Jesus name! Amen