Old Life - New Life

 

Let us distinguish yet further between the old life and the new.

One important distinction is that sooner or later the healthy believer realizes that he is not alone in his body. The condemned Adam-nature from which he was delivered from at the Cross is nonetheless in residence, and as sinful as ever. Unless we see the extent to which the Cross separated us from the old, we will not be able to keep clear of the enslaving flesh and walk freely in the Spirit. Our Father appositionally (judicially) separated us from the Adam-life by our crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and ascension life in the Lord Jesus Christ.

One might ask why our Father, after condemning the old man in the death of His Son, should allow that crucified life and nature to reside in His re-created and risen ones. God has perfect reasons for everything He does. We can list a few here for consideration:

• To reveal the depths of sinfulness from which we were saved.
• To teach us to count ourselves dead to the old ("reckoning" ourselves dead to sin - found in Romans 6), and alive in the new.
• To teach us to abide in the Lord Jesus - above.
• To teach us to walk in the Spirit - below.
• To glorify the Father and manifest the life of the Lord Jesus, despite a fallen nature, body, and world.
• To give us good cause to watch for His appearing.
• To give us a greater appreciation of eternal glory.

In that there are two distinct natures seeking expression by means of our as-yet-unredeemed body, we must keep them separated in our thinking. In itself the old nature is ever strong to do evil; only by the Spirit is the new nature strong to bring forth righteousness. As new creations in Christ, we no longer have to yield to indwelling sin; the Cross has freed us from its power. But we are responsible to abide in Him by FAITH, in order that His love and righteousness may be manifested to this needy world. Much of the HOW to escape the old and become established in the new is embodied in Romans 6:11-13:

"Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus"

"Therefore, let not sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts"

"And do not go on presenting the members of you body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God."

We make choices daily as to what ground we are on: either to be dominated and defeated by indwelling sin, or to be freed and growing in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Living as Children of Light

With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own [he has put his seal on you], guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:17-32 NLT