"We ... were by nature children of wrath, even as others" (Ephesians 2:3).
"Ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2 Peter 1:4).
Every believer has two births, and two natures: that is, two sets of moral qualities that belong to him. He has in him the old, God-condemned nature derived from Adam. But he has also in him a new nature, given when born of God. These two co-exist in the Christian, but are antagonistic to each other. The two natures can no more assimilate or agree than can light with darkness, good with evil. In source, principle, tendencies, characteristics, they are essentially opposed.
But the presence of the old nature in the believer need not hinder communion with God. We are not responsible for its existence, but we are for its activities. As we allow the old nature to act or display itself, spirituality is hindered. To neither nature is responsibility attached: responsibility applies directly to the person. Nor is the new nature said to be born of God: That is said of the person who is a child of God.
The chief characteristics of the old nature are delight in evil and insubjection to God. The main features of the new nature are delight in holiness, obedience, and dependence on God. The food of the old nature is the world, morally characterized as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16)--an immense variety to suit all tastes. The food of the new nature is Christ, the Word of God, and the whole system of heavenly things--rich and wholesome food. The power behind the old nature is Satan. The power of the new nature is the Holy Spirit. The tendency of the old nature is towards death; the tendency of the new nature is towards life. The issues of the new nature are all that is morally excellent--all that God can accept. The issues of the old nature are only evil--all that God abhors and will judge.
--Walter Scott
Have you noticed how every precious truth of Scripture has its Satanic counterfeit? It has been so from the very beginning. And it is the same in our day. Let the truth of new birth be taught and the Devil will raise up teachers after his own heart to tell men that being born again means simply "rising out of the self-life into the spiritual, reaching out after the higher ideals, seeking to make that which is highest, noblest and best of ourselves; thus saving ourselves by character." This is a sample of the false teaching heard in many a supposedly Christian pulpit today. --H.A.I.
Other Articles:
Foreword
How to Study Scripture
Subjection to the Word of God
Conscience or The Word of God
Death Sentence
The Believer and the World
Nothing But Christians
The Cross of Christ
Craving Enjoyment of God's Things
Knowing God's Direction
Our Time
Effectual Prayer
Satisfaction
God's Prophetic Plan
The Christian's Hope to the End
Little Things in Days of "Bigness"
What Profit?
The Thief, Time
Are You Ready?
