If you’re a subscriber, or a regular reader of this blog, you know that our last two posts have focused on moving out of the shadow of our old “sin-nature identity” and finding freedom in the sweet Son-shine of our new “in-Christ identity”.
But before we go any further, we want to explain the purpose of these posts: It’s not to cause you to become obsessed with sin.
Actually, our goal is exactly the opposite. We want to help you become increasingly possessed by the revelation of your new spiritual identity. In Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin. We are more than conquerors!
We want to help you see the truth about sin, and the sin-nature, as God sees it, so please keep an open mind as we explore the scriptures in this and following posts. Please invite Holy Spirit to teach you and guide you into the truth on this topic, because revelation-knowledge of the truth will set you free.
THE PROBLEM OF SIN-CONSCIOUSNESS
The consciousness of sin has plagued the human race since Adam and Eve first tasted the forbidden fruit in the Garden. They chose self-will over God’s will, and in doing so, opened up themselves and ultimately the entire human race, to an awareness and acceptance of evil, sin, and satan.
Today, due to a lack of teaching, most of us don’t understand the important distinction between acts of SIN, which ALL of us have committed (even after our new birth), and the SIN-NATURE, which NONE of us have anymore, as born-again believers.
This lack of knowledge plays right into our enemy’s hands. Satan will try to convince you that the sin you just committed is proof that you have a deeply embedded sin-nature within you, and that you must religiously dig out its roots, so you will be acceptable to God.
Why? If the enemy can keep you focused on sin-consciousness, he can prevent you from becoming more aware and conscious of God’s presence and power residing within you.
FROM A SIN-NATURE TO A SON-NATURE
You and I may still SIN from time-to-time. But we no longer have a SIN-NATURE, a spiritually dead nature, a nature we inherited from the first Adam, a nature which caused us to have an attraction to sin, an affinity for sin, and a fatal addiction to sin.
We now have a new nature. No, not a dual- nature; not our old nature of sin and death plus a new nature of righteousness and life… two spiritual natures co-existing together.
No! Our new birth was a complete change, a radical exchange, the extinction of our old SIN-NATURE and beginning of a new spiritual species which had never existed before.
“… anyone united with the Messiah… is created new. The old life is gone; a new life emerges!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, MSG)
We exchanged our old SIN-NATURE for a new SON-NATURE, inherited directly from our Lord Jesus, the last Adam. We received this new nature the moment we were born again from the incorruptible seed of God’s Word.
“For through the eternal and living Word of God you have been born again. And this “seed” that He planted within you can never be destroyed but will live and grow inside of you forever.” (1 Peter 1:23, TPT)
We now have a SON-NATURE, a passionate love for Abba-Father, and a compelling desire to live our lives in a manner which is pleasing to Him.
WHAT ABOUT THOSE “OOPS-EVENTS”?
Does this mean that we never fall or fail? No, of course not! Even though we’re now citizens of heaven, we still live in a flawed and imperfect world.
But our occasional slips and trips don’t mean that we still have that old unchanged, unregenerate nature lurking inside of us, just waiting to ambush us, and take control of our lives again. No, our old SIN-NATURE has really passed away, and we refuse to revive it.
Thank God, when we do sometimes slip on the slop of sin, splashing some onto our robes of righteousness, we have a cleansing agent. We call it the “Christian’s bar of soap”. And when we apply it by faith we receive forgiveness and cleansing from the stink and the stain of sin.
“If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].” (1 John 1:9, Amplified Bible)
SO HOW DOES GOD VIEW SIN?
The truth may shock you. But God doesn’t even see sin any longer, not because He can’t, but because He won’t. He chooses not to. He chooses to focus on us, as the apple of His eye.
That’s not a new thing. God has loved us before the foundations of the universe were laid, before creating us as His family… before we betrayed His trust and broke His heart.
And in spite of it all He has never stopped loving us. He passionately longs for us with a love that is unchangeable and unconditional. And His love still flows to us continually, regardless of our mistakes, our faults, and our failures.
” I’ve never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love.”
(Jeremiah 31:3, The Message)
“For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
(John 3:16, Amplified Classic Edition)
“… while we were wasting our lives in sin, God revealed His powerful love to us in a tangible display, the Anointed One died for us.” (Romans 5:8, The Voice)
The truth is, sin doesn’t really affect God, as much as it affects us. And that’s why God hates it, because it hurts those He passionately loves. So He gladly paid the ultimate price, to deal with sin and death once and for all.
As far as God is concerned, sin, and the sin-nature, have been dealt with once and for all, by the completed redemptive work of Jesus… by His death, burial, and resurrection.
But, sadly, too many Christians fail to experience the power of Christ’s resurrection, because they have never fully and victoriously come out of the tomb of their past. True enough, they believe in Jesus’ resurrection, but unfortunately, they don’t understand their own.
They fail to see that their old nature has “passed away”, that it died WITH Christ, and was buried WITH Christ. So they continue to lie on the cold hard slab of the enemy’s lies, in the dark tomb of the past, stiff with the rigor mortis of religion.
They are haunted by past mistakes and past failures; by self-destructive habits, and self-
defeating attitudes; covered by truckloads of guilt, and tons of shame.
EMBRACE YOUR NEW LIFE IN CHRIST!
The truth is this: We cannot fully embrace and experience the purpose and power of our new life in Christ, unless we reject and renounce the paralysis and powerlessness of our old nature without Christ.
Following Christ means that we completely identify WITH Him in His death, burial, and resurrection. Therefore, we forsake and abandon our old sin-nature, leaving it all in the tomb, and opposing any attempts to revive it. We burn the bridge of the past behind us! We will never go that way again!
HOLY SPIRIT is saying to us TODAY:
“WAKE UP! THE STONE HAS BEEN ROLLED AWAY! COME OUT OF THE TOMB OF THE PAST! YOUR OLD SIN-NATURE DIED WITH JESUS! LEAVE IT IN THE TOMB! JESUS IS RISEN, AND YOU ARE RISEN TOGETHER WITH HIM. YOU ARE A NEW CREATION AND YOU HAVE A COMPLETELY NEW NATURE, A SON-NATURE. NOW GET OUT THERE AND LIVE LIKE JESUS LIVED!”
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My wife, Grace, and I are very proud to be in partnership with Student Life Organization, Inc. We believe in the great work they are doing in Cebu City, and throughout the central part of the Philippines.
SLOI provides educational opportunities to
many physically disabled and financially disadvantaged children, helping them reach their God-given potential.
Your generous giving will help Founders Anne Ruiz, and Ian Rustia, and their team, as they faithfully declare and demonstrate God’s love to these children and their families.
“I mention this not because I’m requesting a gift, but so that the fruit of your generosity may bring you an abundant reward.”
(Philippians 4:17, TPT)
Would you please give today? If so, please use this link: paypal.me/anaferuiz
Thank you! We pray that you will experience God’s richest blessings as you give freely and cheerfully in Jesus’ name!
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