New Nature: Beyond Behavior
Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13). We have been called from the slavery of sin and the bondage of the flesh, the things of this world. God has called us through the gospel and given us a new birth into the kingdom of the glorious Son. All this, by a work of God's tremendous grace and mercy.
As early as Genesis, we learn about this law, the law of nature. God made things according to their kind, and living things bring forth their own kind. We have received from birth a fallen nature. Because Adam sinned, all who are born in Adam have sin, and we read in Romans that death is a result of sin, but we have now been called to something new. We have been given a new nature. Peter writes, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature…” (2 Peter 1:3-4).
So, we have a new, divine nature in Christ Jesus, but we still have our old nature, the old nature in Adam. Being called to freedom and being free in Christ does not give you a license to use your freedom for unrighteousness. That's why Paul says we are to crucify the flesh. When Paul talks about the flesh, he's talking about the old nature. We're to crucify it and live in the new nature.
True children of God are regenerated and redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. We put our faith in the finished work of the atoning sacrifice unto God for sin. We trust by faith and believe. Then a regeneration takes place in the life of the believer. This believer, through the Holy Spirit of God, is born again in Christ. Only those who are in Christ have the power from God through the Holy Spirit to live in that new nature.
In Christ,
Pastor John
(Adapted from the Sermon Series: No Other Gospel)
As early as Genesis, we learn about this law, the law of nature. God made things according to their kind, and living things bring forth their own kind. We have received from birth a fallen nature. Because Adam sinned, all who are born in Adam have sin, and we read in Romans that death is a result of sin, but we have now been called to something new. We have been given a new nature. Peter writes, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature…” (2 Peter 1:3-4).
So, we have a new, divine nature in Christ Jesus, but we still have our old nature, the old nature in Adam. Being called to freedom and being free in Christ does not give you a license to use your freedom for unrighteousness. That's why Paul says we are to crucify the flesh. When Paul talks about the flesh, he's talking about the old nature. We're to crucify it and live in the new nature.
True children of God are regenerated and redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. We put our faith in the finished work of the atoning sacrifice unto God for sin. We trust by faith and believe. Then a regeneration takes place in the life of the believer. This believer, through the Holy Spirit of God, is born again in Christ. Only those who are in Christ have the power from God through the Holy Spirit to live in that new nature.
In Christ,
Pastor John
(Adapted from the Sermon Series: No Other Gospel)
Posted in Beyond Behavior
Posted in Nature, New Nature, Behavior, Regenerated, Old Nature, Sin, New, Galatians, Paul, Apostle Paul, Peter, Christ, God
Posted in Nature, New Nature, Behavior, Regenerated, Old Nature, Sin, New, Galatians, Paul, Apostle Paul, Peter, Christ, God