“But Unto Him”

[WordSword]

13 hours ago, Behold said:

 

A & D

 

These are the two best characteristics - traits - of discipleship,  that a born again Christian can both possess and offer to God.

 

Availability

Dependability 

 

 

Amen! Prepared by Him in readiness to be used, and remembering its in His strength and not ours! Instructional reply and thanks!

[Not me]

11 hours ago, WordSword said:

Also, my understanding of the sin nature (old man) is that it's not said to be dead but only "crucified" (Rom 6:6) and continually "mortified" by the Spirit (Rom 8:13; Col 3:5; Gal 5:17). Our being "dead to sin" (Rom 6:2, 11; Col 3:3) involves us being free from the sin nature's guilt (Rom 8:1) and its "reign and dominion" (Rom 6:12, 14), but not from its indwelling presence and affect. We are dead to it but it is not dead to us, and is actually enlivened by the precepts of Christ's commands. As we learn the Lord's will, sin becomes more aware to us and is "revived" concerning its evil (Rom 7:9).

Yes! Our sin nature is not dead, it is very much alive. But as you brought forth it is being “mortified” or brought to abeyance by the Spirit(i.e. faith). But faith in what? Scripture says that we not the sin nature “died with Christ”. “We” are that which died when Christ died. We died to sin. Let me say it this way; 

If a believer was to die right now, sin would have no power over him. Sin would be very much alive but he would be incapable of responding, because he was dead. This is what it means that “when Christ died, we died” it is believing and understanding this “from the heart” that sets a believer free from the “old man and his deeds”.  

It is faith from the heart, believing this truth, that is what ;

Romans 8:13 (NASB)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

is talking about. If we through the Spirit which means faith, for walking, or living in the Spirit, is just another way of saying “living by faith” for the scripture “the just shall live by faith” is a Scriptural maxim. All things come from God through faith. That being said, it is faith in this truth that “when Christ died we died”,  and understanding that our salvation is totally from God as a free gift. But it is a free gift in real time, now! 

Though as long as man carries around his “old man” sin will still cling to him,  but it will not rule over him. He will still sin as compared to the righteousness of God, but as Paul says; 

1 Corinthians 4:4 (NASB)
For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.

He knew “nothing against himself”. In other words he was aware of no sin in his life. But he goes on to say that just because he wasn’t aware of any sins, didn’t mean he was sinless. He says; “it is the Lord who examines me”. Meaning that he was aware that just because he wasn’t committing any sins that he was aware of,  didn’t mean he was sinless in all things. 

This is what the body of Christ is called to. To walk before God in a Victorious Christian life. Where their sins would be something God could see. But the believer  would be unaware of any sins until God brought them to the believers attention. It is this place that is called “living in the Spirit” where ones sinful nature has been so “mortified” by a continuing “reckoning ones self dead to sin but alive unto God”.  But this “state” or understanding can not be reached, till the believer has been brought to the end of himself. For until than he will try to help God out. Which is just a work of the flesh. For the “just shall live by faith”

I could go on and on about being “dead in Christ” but hopefully this is at least a little understandable. 

Much love in Christ, Not me 

Edited June 30, 2018 by Not me

[WordSword]

5 minutes ago, Not me said:

 But as you brought forth it is being “mortified” or brought to abeyance by the Spirit(i.e. faith).

Hope I don't seem to be nit-picking or splitting hairs, but just wanted to share with you that the old man (flesh; sin nature) is left unchanged because "it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Rom 8:7). I believe this answers to why we are imparted with a new nature, which has never existed before.

Truly appreciate your probing comments!

Blessings!

 

[Not me]

1 hour ago, WordSword said:

Hope I don't seem to be nit-picking or splitting hairs, but just wanted to share with you that the old man (flesh; sin nature) is left unchanged because "it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Rom 8:7). I believe this answers to why we are imparted with a new nature, which has never existed before.

Truly appreciate your probing comments!

Blessings!

 

Absolutely, this is why we are never told to make the “old man” better. We are told to “reckon him dead”. For death is the only thing he is fit for. And being freed for him,  is what is necessary so we might walk in newness of life.  

Much love in Christ, Not me 

[WordSword]

3 minutes ago, Not me said:

 We are told to “reckon him dead”.

That is close, but it's "reckon yourselves to be dead unto sin" (Rom 6:11). Not trying to correct you but just showing why I shared this.

[Not me]

No worries, I have a habit of paraphrasing scripture to bring forth a truth. I meant “him” as “yourself” as in  contrast of the old man vs the new man. It’s the old “us” we are to reckon dead. But I see how I can be confusing, will try to not be so. 

Much love in Christ, Not me 

Edited June 30, 2018 by Not me

[WordSword]

6 hours ago, Not me said:

No worries, I have a habit of paraphrasing scripture to bring forth a truth. I meant “him” as “yourself” as in  contrast of the old man vs the new man. It’s the old “us” we are to reckon dead. But I see how I can be confusing, will try to not be so. 

Much love in Christ, Not me 

Thanks but that's ok!!