I AM NO LONGER A SINNER | TWO NATURES
Upon salvation, a born-again believer undergoes a profound spiritual exchange, receiving a new nature through the redemptive work & LIFE of Jesus Christ. This theological concept is not just thought provoking, it is anchored in passages such as 2 Corinthians 5:17, which declares:
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
OUT WITH THE OLD | IN WITH THE NEW
The old nature, Adamic nature, or often called “old self” has passed away; “behold, the new has come." This signifies that the believer's former sinful nature is crucified with Christ, as stated in Galatians 2:20:
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."
The death of the old self on the cross symbolizes the believer's release from the bondage of sin and the dominion of the flesh.
In its place, the new nature of Christ dwells within the believer, enabling them to live a life empowered by the Holy Spirit. This new nature aligns the believer's will, desires, and actions with the Righteousness and Holiness of God & Yeshua, causing spiritual growth and conformity to the image of Christ.
Upon experiencing the indwelling salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, the believer should recognize their new identity in Christ rather than continuing to identify as "I am a sinner."
This theological truth is rooted in the transformative power of salvation, the Exchanged Life, where the believer is made a new creation. The believer's past, marked by sin and separation from God, is crucified with Christ, and they are now clothed in His righteousness.
While acknowledging that they still battle with sin, walking after the trash the Old Nature left behind, the believer's primary identity is no longer that of a sinner but of a redeemed and sanctified child of God. This shift in identity is crucial for living out the victorious Christian life, as it aligns the believer's self-understanding with their position in Christ. By embracing their identity as Saints possessing the Life of Christ, beloved and set apart for God's purpose, believers are empowered to walk in the Spirit, able to resist sin, and reflect the character of Christ in their daily lives.
In essence, the declaration "I am a sinner" fails to capture the fullness of the believer's new nature and standing before God.
Instead, believers should affirm their identity in Christ, saying, "I am a new creation, redeemed and sanctified by the blood of Jesus," which brings honor to the great exchange Christ demonstrated in their lives.
IN THE NEWNESS OF INDWELLING LIFE
Through this transformation, the believer is equipped to walk in newness of life, bearing the fruit of the Spirit and fulfilling God's purpose and calling. Thus, the new nature is both a gift and a call to live out the reality of being a new creation in Christ, reflecting the character and love of Yeshua in all aspects of life.
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