CharismaticLady
Well-Known Member
Those who have been born again have actually had all their sins cleaned and their guilt removed. They are new creatures in Christ with a new nature. That is the quickened spirit indwelt by the Holy Spirit. That nature cannot sin.
At the same time the old Adamic nature has not been eradicated, which means that the possibility of sin from this *flesh* nature has not been eradicated. Christians would in fact be sinlessly perfect if this nature had been totally eradicated -- removed completely.
So Paul explains this dual nature in Romans 7:21-23, and shows that there is internal warfare:
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:[the new nature]
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. [the old nature]
For the flesh lusteth [strives or wars] 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. (Gal 5:17)
At the same time, the old nature cannot have dominion over the Christian because the indwelling Holy Spirit is more powerful. But in order for that power to be manifested, the Christian must crucify or mortify or put to death the old nature. And that is done by walking in the Spirit.
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Gal 5:24,25)
I know you must know by now that Romans 7 is about those under the law WITHOUT the Spirit, and chapter 8 is what a difference having the Spirit makes. Jesus took away our sin, but in Roman 7:13 they definitely still have their sinful nature. You just won't study the context of Romans 7 to have your eyes opened.
Galatians doesn't mean we can stay saved if we quench the Spirit, and go back into the flesh like a dog returning to his vomit. No, we are commanded to walk in the Spirit and stay there. If not, we will go to hell as we've apostatized against Christ and chosen to follow after Satan again.
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