The World Stole the Church
Chapter 10
Believers Have Two Natures
In 2 Corinthians we are told that the believer is “A New Creation in Christ Jesus.”
The Amplified Bible Classic Edition puts it this way:
“Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new Creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!”
– 2 Corinthians 5:17 AMPC
The KJV is:
“17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
This New Creation Man is placed in the heart of every new believer along side the old fleshly nature with which we were all born into this world. The two natures are in constant conflict which will not end until we die and are taken to Heaven.
“17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
– Galatians 5:
Which one gains control?
The nature we feed is the one which takes control!
If we feed the New Nature with God’s Word of Truth and Life, we will grow spiritually!
“2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”
– 1 Peter 2:
If we feed on the things of the world, we feed the old nature.
“2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
“5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”
– Colossians 3:
“17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
– John 17:17 (KJV)
We mortify the flesh by abiding in God the Holy Spirit’s Word of Truth.
“63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
– John 6:
“12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
– Hebrews 4:
“For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective];
It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature],
Exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart,” – Hebrews 4:12 AMPC
“1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”
– Colossians 3:
This New Nature, which is the Life of God, of Christ, is located in Heaven;
but it is also within us as believers in Christ.
“19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
– 1 Corinthians 6:
If we have this New Life of Christ from God, we are going to be in Heaven forever! This is what Eternal Life is about. It is Eternal; it cannot die!
“15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
– John 3:
“4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” – Colossians 3:
The fantastic thing is that we will share the Life of God forever! Amen!
“17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Timothy 1:
Incredible, but Truth, God has showed us He is Infinite!
Heirs of His Glory!
Praise God!
Heirs of His glorious life! His life which is Eternal and Glorious!
“17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
– Romans 8:
“17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Timothy 1: