Posted by
RecknHavic on Thursday, January 31, 2008 1:16:03 PM
There is a conflict that rages within all Christians. The Apostle Paul knew of this battle, in fact, he wrote about it in Romans chapter 7. In the 15th verse he said, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." Notice he says "I do", not "I did"; and this from perhaps the greatest Christian of all time!
Did you know, as a Christian, you have two natures instead of one? We are all born with the natural desire to exalt ourselves ( Believers call this our old nature). But once we become "born again" we are given a new nature, the Indwelling nature of Christ. These two natures war against one another; there will be no cease fires, no treaties, no honorable withdraws. One will win and one will lose.
The Bible speaks of the desires of the flesh, this is our old nature. It also talks of our new nature, the Spirit. Working from the Revised Standard Version, Gal 5:17 says, "For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would". If you substitute "old nature" for flesh and "new nature' for Spirit in this verse you can see clearly how these two natures battle.
Before salvation the old nature directed our lives (thoughts, impulses, desires, ect). When we choose to live by the new nature we are controlled by the Spirit (the Indwelling Christ controls our lives through the Holy Spirit). The products of the new nature are as follows: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy , peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" Gal 5:22-23. Your own choice dictates which nature will be in control of your life.
This doesn't mean we become perfect and never sin...if only. We stumble, He lifts us up (Psalm 27:23-24). Victory, however, is achieved in the end. For the victor-life, for the loser-death; there is no in between, no middle ground. If you believe in (follow) the Savior you will succeed in the end, He guarantees it. "...being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil 1:6
Remember that you belong to your choice. When Jesus Christ is your new nature he brings the full presence of God's Holy Spirit to live within you. So choose Christ and after awhile the decision becomes easier, more natural; it becomes in effect, second nature.