THE MIRACLE OF BECOMING A NEW CREATION

THE MIRACLE OF BECOMING A NEW CREATION

“… 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).

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The SOUL, all the non-physical aspects of a human being is existing, moving, and creating its identity within the prison of the SINFUL NATURE. “ … the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these …” (Galatians 5:20-22  NASB).

WITHIN the PRISON of the SINFUL NATURE, the WARDON is the EVIL ONE. “… The SOUL, through the sinful nature obeys] …the devil—the commander of the [evil] powers in the unseen world. He is the [evil] spirit at work in the hearts (part of the SOUL) of those who refuse to obey (follow) God…” (Ephesian 2:2-3 NLT).

The EVIL ONE is the MASTER Dictator that DOMINATES the SOUL of “EVERY” slave of SIN through the sinful nature. They are ALL under his POWER. “… the whole world (EVERY SOUL) lies under the power (CONTROL) of the evil one” (1 John 5:19 RSV).

They have NO CHOICE outside of the EVIL ONE’S control. “…the flesh  (SINFUL NATURE)… does not submit to God's law (instructions), nor can it do so…” (Romans 8:7 NIV). “… the [soul is] … under the power (CONTROL) of the evil one” (1 John 5:19 RSV).

The SOUL imprisoned by the SINFUL NATURE BELONGS to the EVIL ONE and they are his SLAVES of SIN. “…I am (MY SOUL IS) … a slave to sin …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

The SOUL under the POWER of the EVIL ONE and through the PRISON of the SINFUL NATURE is allowed to think, feel, have relationships with others, have worldly success, material possessions, gain world renown, explore appetites, follow their heart’s desires, and do whatever the flesh pleases as LONG as it is within the REALM of the CARNAL world. However,“…ALL that is in the world, the LUST of the flesh, and the LUST of the eyes…..is NOT of the Father, but it is of the world (which is under the power of the EVIL ONE)….” (1 John 2:16-17 KJV).

 “…The sinful nature (FLESH) wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “… [THE SINFUL NATURE] … does not submit to God's law (HOLY instruction], nor can it do so…” (Romans 8:7 NIV). “…THE FLESH (THE SINFUL NATURE) SETS ITS DESIRE AGAINST the [HOLY] Spirit…” (Galatians 5:17 NASB).

 “…Those who ...set their MINDS ON THE THINGS OF THE FLESH (THE SINFUL NATURE)…” (Romans 8:5 NASB). . “ … the deeds of the flesh (SINFUL NATURE) are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these …” (Galatians 5:20-22  NASB).

 “…WHOEVER SOWS TO PLEASE THEIR FLESH (SINFUL NATURE), FROM THE FLESH WILL REAP DESTRUCTION; …” (Galatians 6:8 NIV).  “…the flesh  (SINFUL NATURE) profits nothing…” (John 6:63 NASB).

SOME PEOPLE LIKE LIVING BY THE FLESH (THE SINFUL NATURE). “…MEN LOVED DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT, because THEIR DEEDS WERE EVIL. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved…” (John 3:18-20 KJV).

HOWEVER, CHOOSING TO CONTINUE TO LIVE BY THE SINFUL NATURE, IS A TEMPORARY SITUATION, BUT WITH ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES. ”.. if you live by its (the FLESH) dictates, you will die…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “…For if ye live AFTER THE FLESH, ye shall die…” (Romans 8:13 KJV). “…Know … that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey (to follow), his servants ye are to whom ye obey (follow); whether of sin unto death….” (Romans 6:16 KJV).

MANY PEOPLE DON’T CARE ABOUT OR BELIEVE IN ETERNAL DEATH. “…He that believeth on him is not condemned: but HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT IS CONDEMNED ALREADY, because HE HATH NOT BELIEVED in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And THIS IS THE CONDEMNATION, that light is come into the world, and MEN LOVED DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT, …” (John 3:18-20 KJV). 

SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT LIVING ACCORDING TO THE SINFUL NATURE “FEELS” RIGHT TO THEM!  “…There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of DEATH...” (Proverbs  14:20 KJV). “…There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways DEATH ….” (Proverbs 16:25 KJV).

“…WHOEVER SOWS TO PLEASE THEIR FLESH (SINFUL NATURE), FROM THE FLESH WILL REAP DESTRUCTION; …” (Galatians 6:8 NIV).  “…For if ye live AFTER THE FLESH, ye shall die…” (Romans 8:13 KJV).

“…Every man (or woman) is tempted, when … [they are] … drawn away of his (or her) own lust (through the SINFUL NATURE), and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it BRINGETH FORTH SIN: and sin, when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT). “…Sin (the violation of God’s instructions) entered into the world, and DEATH through sin, and so DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “…The wages of sin is death (spiritual death)…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).

“…All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23).

Sin separates God from mankind. “… [their] … iniquities (sin) …separated [them]… from [their]… God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). However, “… without [the] shedding of blood [there] is no remission (forgiveness or atonement for man’s sins)…” (Hebrews 9:22 KJV). ^“…[It is]…the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul…” (Leviticus 17:11 KJV).

SO “…God [decided to SAVE] us [from the bondage of sin] and [call us] to live a holy life. He did this, not because we DESERVED it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his GRACE through Christ Jesus…” (2 Timothy 1:9 NLT).

“…[God]…sent His Son...” (1 John 4:10 KJV).  God …sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “…He gave his only begotten Son…” (John 3:16 KJV). “..He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV).

Jesus is the slain, Lamb of God, that gave his life in exchange for yours and therefore BECAME the atoning sacrifice for your sins. “…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29 KJV).

 Therefore, “…Christ … died for sins ONCE for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us [home again] to God…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB). “… I will bring them home again,” says the Lord….” (HOSEA 11 NLT). “… [He sent the] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).

God desired to reconcile himself to mankind.“…God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ …” (2 Corinthians 5:18 NIV).

God RECONCILED man by the FORGIVENESS of SINS through the ATONING sacrifice of Jesus Christ. “…Without [the] shedding of blood (an atoning sacrifice) [there] is no remission (or forgiveness of sins)…” (Hebrews 9:22 KJV)…”

SIN creates a BARRIER between sinful man and the HOLY God. “… And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm (barrier) has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us…” (Luke 16:22-25 NASB).

This barrier will ALWAYS cause a SEPARATION, because God, the HOLY Spirit and SINFUL mankind, WHICH can NOT and will NOT “EVER” MIX. “… And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm (barrier) has been set in place…” (Luke 16:22-25 NASB).

SIN and HOLINESS naturally SEPARATES; just like oil and water. “…Your INIQUITIES (sin) have separated between you and your God (holy) …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…It’s YOUR SINS that have cut you off from God (who is HOLY)…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT).

Thus, God SENT Jesus, his Son, who became like an EMULSIFIER in order to enable the mixture or emulsion of two unlikely substances. “…He that is joined [by Jesus] is ONE spirit… [OR united, through emulsion, with the HOLY God]” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).

If an emulsifier is added to oil and water it will miraculously enable them to MIX together. “…He that is joined (MIXED together) [by] the Lord (Jesus) [becomes] ONE Spirit… [OR is miraculously united, through emulsion, with the Holy God again]” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…. Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

You are a totally new creation when you accept Jesus into your heart as your Lord and SAVIOR. “… [BECAUSE]… if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

“…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole [again]…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “…If any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a NEW creature …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… [because] … all things are … [MADE] … NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…I will put a new spirit in you. …” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). “…God has given [you] HIS [holy] Spirit as PROOF that … he [dwells]…in [you].” (1 John 4:13 NLT). “…God himself … makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together …[again]… —spirit, soul, and body …” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG).

 The indwelling HOLY SPIRIT “is” God. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (freedom)” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “…Jesus Christ (the WORD is also SPIRIT and) is … [dwelling within] … you…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…If the Son (the WORD) therefore shall make you free, you SHALL be free indeed”…” (John 8:36 KJV).

Remember the Holy Spirit WILL not and CAN MIX with SIN. SIN will ALWAYS naturally separate from HOLINESS.

God is SPIRIT. God is a SPIRITUAL being. God, the SPIRIT is TOTALLY separated and SET APART from SIN. 

THE SPIRIT CAN’T – not by CHOICE, but by divine nature- MIX, JOIN, or FELLOWSHIP with SIN at ALL!! “…what fellowship (COMMON GROUND) hath righteousness with unrighteousness?  [NONE[...And what communion  (COMMON GROUND) hath light with darkness?  [NONE]...And what concord (COMMON GROUND) hath Christ (the Word of TRUTH) with Belial (the DEVIL or Father of LIES)? [NONE]...Or what part (COMMON GROUND) hath he that believeth (depends upon God) with an infidel (one who doesn’t depend upon God)? [NONE]...” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV).

BECAUSE the holy spirit dwells in you (THE NEW CREATION); you are also totally free and separated from sin. “…Who will free [you] from this life that is dominated by [the SINFUL NATURE]? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).“… The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord (the WORD, which is SPIRIT)…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “… [God is] HOLY (totally set apart and separated from SIN)…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV).  “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…God’s Spirit dwells in you (NEW CREATION)?...” (1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB). “ “…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (freedom)” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV).

IF YOU ARE FREE FROM SIN, WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE WITH SIN? “…The trouble is with me, for I am all too human (too fleshly), a slave to sin… I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin that is … within me (within the FLESH)…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

Let’s take a closer look.

1. YOU ARE IN THE FLESH, WHICH IS NOW THE SINFUL NATURE; AND IT IS “NOT” FREE FROM SIN. The sinful nature is “unable” to follow god’s holy instructions. “… [the flesh (sinful nature] … does not submit to God's [holy] law (instruction, nor can it do so…” (Romans 8:7 NIV).

2. THE SINFUL NATURE IS NOT FREE FROM SIN AND WHEN YOU DEPEND UPON THE FLESH IT NATURALLY REBELS AGAINST THE DESIRES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. “…The sinful nature is ALWAYS hostile to God. It NEVER did, [from the beginning] obey God’s laws (instructions), and it NEVER will. …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “…THE FLESH SETS ITS DESIRE AGAINST the Spirit…” (Galatians 5:17 NASB). (Galatians 6:8 NIV).  “…The sinful nature (FLESH) wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

3. GOD’S WORD IS SPIRIT AND HIS HOLY INSTRUCTIONS CAN “ONLY” BE FOLLOWED THROUGH THE EMPOWERING OF THE INDWELLING SPIRIT. Christ works “in” and “through” the flesh to fulfill the holy instructions in God’s word. ^“…it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…The … HOLY SPIRIT …does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

4. The way to avoid FOLLOWING THE SINFUL NATURE is to depend upon the indwelling holy spirit whose presence has broken the power of the sinful nature over the soul.  “…the flesh profits nothing…” (John 6:63 NASB). The FLESH is “…DEAD in trespasses and sin” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV). “…the body  (the flesh) without (apart from) the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26 KJV).  “….Apart from … [God’s Holy Spirit], [you]… do nothing (you cannot live FREE from sin)…” (John 15:5 NIV). “….Don't put your trust in mere human beings (in human FLESH; including yourself)….” (Isaiah 2:22 NLT). “…Trust in the Lord (the word, the indwelling spirit, etc) with all thine heart (part of the SOUL)…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).

5.  The indwelling holy spirit does the work of transforming the soul, into the image of Christ, through jesus Christ, the word of god.  “…be conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). “…I do nothing of myself…” (John 8:28 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “…He helps me…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT).

 “… The God of peace… that great Shepherd of the sheep …may he work in [you]… what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).

“….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).

 “…Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (part of the SOUL)….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). “…The will of God, [is]…your SANCTIFICATION (ongoing cleansing, FREEING from sin)…” (1 Thessalonians 4:3 NASB).“…[You]..can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [you]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). ^“…Christ liveth in [you]…” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).

6. It is through dependency upon the indwelling holy spirit that sin loses “all” power! “…The power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“…God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“.. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things,..” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“… Those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

“… The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

 “… you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“… (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“…Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“… If you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

 “…The power of the life-giving [indwelling Holy] Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “…Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (freedom)” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “…Jesus Christ (the WORD, which is SPIRIT) is in you…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “….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).

“... [You have been] made free from sin….” (Romans 6:18 KJV).

THE HOLY SPIRIT MAKES THE REDEEMED SOUL INTO A NEW CREATION AND EMPOWERS THEM TO LIVE A LIFE FREE FROM THE “POWER” OF THE SINFUL NATURE!

THE MIRACLE OF BECOMING A NEW CREATION