Old Nature v. New Nature - Galatians 5:17
When a person hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ and believes, it is at that very second salvation is received. What is the Gospel? “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV). Believe the Gospel of Salvation and immediately the person is “born again” and immediately the person has two natures: the old nature is of the flesh, it is the sin nature; the new nature is of the Spirit and it does not sin.
Once a person is a believer in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, they have two natures (old nature and new nature), and they probably noticed a “warring” happening within themselves: “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Galatians 5:17 KJV). Paul talked about this in Romans: “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I” (Romans 7:15 KJV); “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 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” (Romans 7:23-25 KJV).
BORN AGAIN
Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born again: “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit” (John 3:1-8 KJV).
Born of the flesh: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6 KJV). Before a person is “born again,” they are born of the flesh. Before a person is saved, their spiritual father is Satan: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44 KJV). Before a person received Jesus Christ as their Savior, they are child of disobedience: “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others” (Ephesians 2:1-3 KJV). Before a person believes in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, and such were everyone: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (I Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV).
The old nature is of the flesh, it is the sin nature. The sin nature perished at the Cross of Calvary delivering believers from the penalty of sin: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin” (Romans 6:6 KJV). Every person is born with the sin nature and this is why Jesus Christ died on the Cross for sin, buried and resurrected the third day. All individuals are born condemned, it is only when you believe in Jesus Christ alone for salvation that you are BORN AGAIN and have a new nature that is born of the Spirit rooted in Jesus Christ.
BORN ONCE, DIE TWICE / BORN TWICE, DIE ONCE
Before we discuss the two natures, let us first discuss “born once, die twice” or “born twice, die once.” Once a person is born again, they will only die once -born twice, die once. If a person is not born again, they will die twice-born once, die twice. “Born twice and die once” is never experiencing the second death which is spiritual death. “Born once and die twice” is for everyone who rejects Jesus Christ for salvation; these individuals not only experience physical death, they will experience a second death (spiritual death). “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death” (Revelation 2:11 KJV). “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (Revelation 20:14 KJV).
Who is he that overcometh? “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God” (I John 5:4-5 KJV)? Believe Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, burial, and resurrection and you are born again (born twice) and this person is the one who “overcomes.” This person does not “overcome” because of anything they did, but “overcome” because everything Jesus Christ did for them. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son” (Revelation 21:7 KJV).
OLD NATURE v. NEW NATURE
When a person gets “saved” or they are “born again,”, there is a “war” that happens within them: “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:15-24 KJV)
When you are born again, you get a new nature that is incorruptible from God. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (II Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God” (I John 3:9 KJV). The new nature does not commit sin because it is “born of God” and not the flesh. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (I Peter 1:23 KJV).
Individuals that do not understand the “old nature” and “new nature” usually believe they can “lose their salvation” because there is a “warring” happening within themselves that they do not understand. Individuals try to “clean up” the old nature; however, the old nature is corruptible and it can only produce the following: “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies” (Galatians 5:17-21 KJV). A person will never “clean up” the old nature. The old nature is rooted in sin and will always sin.
Paul reminded the Corinthians of their old nature and how they received a new position in Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 6:9-11 (KJV) “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” Prior to any believer trusting in Jesus Christ, this is how they are seen through the lens of God: a fornicator, idolator, adulterer, effeminate, thief, covetor, drunk, reviler, an extortioner. Individuals need to know the flesh will never inherit the Kingdom of God. Prior to being born again or born of the Spirit, individuals are the old nature and they are 100% of the flesh and they are guilty under the law and deserve death. This is why Christ revealed Himself in the flesh so He could be a satisfied sacrifice for sin. Once you believe Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, burial, and resurrection -trusting in Jesus Christ alone to save you, you are born again, born of the Spirit. A believer has a new creation in them. A believer has a new nature in them that does not sin.
When a person is saved or born again, they receive a “new nature” that is incorruptible and cannot sin; however, the believer still has the old nature that sins. The old nature still sins but the new nature does not sin. The new nature is a new creation and this is a list of the fruit the new nature produces. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-25 KJV). When individuals get saved, they try to clean up the “old man” or “old nature;” however, they will never clean up the “old man” because it is of the flesh. The old nature dies with the flesh when the body dies, the new nature goes onto Heaven which is absent from the body and present with the Lord; hence, born twice and die once. “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (II Corinthians 5:8 KJV).
How does a person “combat” the “warring” of the two natures and prevent the old nature having power in a believers life? A person does not learn “how to control the flesh.” The Bible is clear and warns believers about trying to “control” the flesh. “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh” (Colossians 2:20-23 KJV). A believer should not focus on “cleaning up the flesh” because you will never clean up the flesh, it is rooted in sin and brings forth death. Believers need to focus on “walking in the Spirit.” “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16 KJV). However, believers might have the following question: How do you walk in the Spirit?
Believers need to focus on what they SHOULD BE DOING versus focusing on NOT what they should be doing. A believers life should be focused on what they should be doing which is “keep their mind on Jesus Christ.” How do believers keep their mind on Christ? “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:15-16 KJV). A believer needs to nurtured by the water and bread of life -The Word of God. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-8 KJV). A believer needs to practice not thinking about themselves but think about Jesus Christ.
Individuals who are saved think they can control the flesh and the reality is they will never control the flesh. If believers focus on the flesh, this means their mind is on the flesh and they will not be “walking in the Spirit.” Wherever your mind “is at,” a person’s behaviors will soon follow. Believers need to be reading the Word of God and allowing their mind to be transformed by the Word of God and soon through the reading of the Word and the transformation of the mind, the fruits of the Spirit naturally happen. Romans 12:1-2 (KJV) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
FEEDING OLD NATURE or NEW NATURE
How do you feed the Old Nature or New Nature? It depends on what a person is thinking about. When a person is reading the Bible, singing Gospel hymns, thinking about others salvation, praying -these are examples of “walking in the Spirit.” Feed the new nature and allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life. “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (I Corinthians 2:13-14 KJV). The Holy Spirit is the believer's teacher. The Holy Spirit teaches the believer spiritual discernment. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:5-7 KJV). A believer does not automatically produce the fruit. When a believer abides in Jesus Christ, they are in fellowship. When a saved person is in fellowship, they are walking in the spirit.
It is like the oak tree in the field. The oak tree does not focus on growing leaves and acorns, the oak tree focuses on water, sun, and food from the soil and eventually over time, the oak tree naturally produces fruit. A believer is similar. A believer should be nourished on the Word of God -spiritually fed by the water, bread, milk, and meat of the Word and naturally, the Spirit produces fruit in a believers life. This happens by keeping your mind on Jesus Christ. Believers need to learn to keep their mind on Jesus Christ which allows them to yield and allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life. “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Romans 6:13 KJV). Holy Spirit helps a person discern the Word of God. Holy Spirit will work through a person to produce fruit and allows the person to “walk in the Spirit;” however, it is about keeping your mind on Jesus Christ. A person is in fellowship when they are thinking about Jesus Christ.
How does a believer “abide in Christ” or remain in “fellowship with Christ?” It is keeping your mind on Jesus Christ which is feeding the new nature. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (I John 1:1-10 KJV). When you are “out of fellowship” and you recognize it, take responsibility and get your mind back on Christ. A simple way for a child of God to get back into fellowship is by reading His Word.
A sad fact is a believer will sin until he/she dies. This is the “old nature” in all believers. Should a person glory in their sin, NO, absolutely not! But the facts are we have an “old nature” from our physical birth and a person receives a “new nature” when they believe Jesus Christ died on the Cross for their sins, burial, and resurrection. A believer should not clean up the “old nature” by “no doing this” or “not doing that.” Instead, a believer should focus on what they “can do” and that is read the Bible, sing praises to our Heavenly Father and Savior, offer sacrifices of “thanksgiving” from your lips to your Heavenly Father and Savior, attend Gospel speaking church, and have fellowship with other believers. Believers need to “grow in grace”: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (II Peter 3:18 KJV).
THE PLAN OF SALVATION - THE GOSPEL
The Gospel is Jesus Christ died on the Cross for our sins (past present future), He was buried and He resurrected the third day to show us the payment for sin is paid in full.
I Corinthians 15:1-4: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
There is only one way to Heaven and it is the belief in the Finished Redemptive Work of Jesus Christ.
Titus 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Lord Savior Jesus Christ was born for one reason and that is to save us from our sins. Jesus Christ does not come to condemn individuals. Jesus Christ comes to save us because we are all Hell doomed sinners without the Blood of Jesus Christ.
John 3:16-18: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
The Bible is very clear Jesus Christ does not come to condemn for we are already condemned.
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
The Bible is very clear the payment for sin is death; somebody has to die for your sin and this is why Jesus Christ come to this earth.
Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Let me ask you a very simple question. If you could be saved by being water baptized, doing good works, being a good person or following the Ten Commandments, why did the God from Eternity Past, the God from Eternity Future, the Ever Presence Jesus Christ reveal Himself in the flesh and die on the Cross and Resurrect the Third Day?
Galatians 2:21: I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
If you could earn salvation by doing those things, then Jesus Christ died in vain; but, we know Jesus Christ didn’t die in vain; Jesus Christ made a perfect sacrifice for sin because He is the Lamb of God and only the Lamb of God makes a perfect sacrifice for sin.
The resurrection is proof God the Father accepted Jesus Christ death payment for sin; death payment of past, present and future sin.
The bible is very clear Jesus Christ comes to saves us from a Hell we deserve to a Heaven we don’t.
People DO NOT go to Hell because they are “bad”, they go to Hell because they believe NOT the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they trust NOT in Jesus Christ as their Savior, they believe NOT that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for their sins, burial and resurrection.
Know that God is gracious to you and He has already died for all your sins (past present future) and He was buried showing all the world He died for your sins and He resurrected showing all the world that Jesus Christ fulfilled what the Father asked Him to do, IT IS FINISHED.
I pray you to believe in Jesus Christ right now for salvation; believe Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sin, burial, and resurrection.
If you have not believed, what is stopping you right now from believing? God loves you and has already died and resurrected to meet you. Believe Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, burial, and resurrection and receive the greatest gift ever which is eternal life. Eternal life does not start when you die, eternal life starts the very second you believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. Why not trust in Jesus Christ today for salvation. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18 KJV)
If you know someone who is not saved, forward this message to them and share the greatest gift that one could ever receive.
Lance Edminster
The Good News Voice
Email: thegoodnewsvoice@gmail.com
Once Saved, Always Saved -"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one." (John 10:28-30 KJV)