The New Nature In The Believer
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
It has been well said that if there is anything good in any man it is because it was put there by God. And something good — a new, sinless nature — has been imparted by God to every believer.
While there is still within us “that which is begotten of the flesh,” there is also “that which is begotten of the Spirit,” and just as the one is totally depraved and “cannot please God,” so the other is absolutely perfect and always pleases Him.
Adam was originally created in the image and likeness of God, but he fell into sin and later “begat a son in his own likeness, after his image” (Gen. 5:3). It could not be otherwise. Fallen Adam could generate and beget only fallen, sinful offspring, whom even the Law could not change. But “what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin,” accomplished, “that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:3,4),
As Adam was made in the likeness of God, but fell, so Christ was made in the likeness of sinful flesh, to redeem us from the fall, that by grace, through the operation of the Spirit, a new creation might be brought into being, a “new man… renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him” (Col. 3:10) a “new man, which, after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph. 4:24). Referring to this “new man,” John says:
“Whosoever is born [begotten] of God doth not commit sin, for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born [begotten] of God” (I John 3:9).
“We know that whosoever is born [begotten] of God sinneth not…” (I John 5:18).
Today's Devotional Sponsor:
DAILY SMILE...
Church Service
One day 3 young men were passing a church where the service was going on. As they never stepped into a church before, they decided to go in and see what is a church service. They opened the front door and stepped in. The pastor, a fiery preacher was preaching - walking up and down, left to right and moving fast. . An usher welcomed them but the usher couldn't see any empty chairs. Oh yes, there were three chairs empty in the front. The young men sat there staring at the preacher moving fast and speaking loud.
The preacher took his breath. He said, "I ask, where is God?" He walked down from the pulpit repeating that question, "where is God?" He came to the first young man, looked at his eyes and repeated the question in a solemn voice, "young man, I'm asking you, Where is God?"
The young man turned to his friends and said, "Let us get out of this place. They lost God and trying to put the blame on us."
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