12/11/16 Born of the Spirit and Walking in the Spirit
(I ask and answer three Questions essential to basic/victorious Christian living)
Q.
How powerful is the new birth (being born of the Spirit)?
A.
The new birth is so powerful that a believer does not sin, cannot sin, as long as he is presently born of God.
1 John 3:8-10
(8) He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
(9) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
(10) In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
DLG note... Being born of the Spirit (born of God) is not only a past tense experience, it is a present reality. To be born of God delivers from sin. To sin is to be dead to God.
Q.
How powerful is the sinful nature (referred to in the Bible as The Old Man, The Flesh, Carnally Minded, Double Minded, Evil Heart of Unbelief) within a Christian?
A.
The sinful nature is so powerful that it corrupts the thinking, the desires and actions of a believer. As long as the believer still has the sinful nature (not to be confused with human nature), he is not only tempted by Satan from the outside, he is drawn to evil from within himself; as long as the believer still has the sinful nature (referred to in Romans 7 and 8 as, "the law of sin and death") he stands in jeopardy of being overcome by evil.
Romans 7:18-23
(18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
(19) For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
(20) Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
(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:
(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.
Romans 8:5-8
(5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
(6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
(7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
(8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
DLG note... Being Born Again imparts newness of life to the sinner, regenerates the believer through the Holy Spirit, forgives every sinful thought, word and deed committed by the repentant person, cleanses and empowers the person to walk in the light. However, initial salvation does not deliver from the sinful nature. This is why believers have an inward conflict after regeneration. Though they are enabled to follow Christ, they still need to have their hearts purified from all sin, by the infilling of the Holy Spirit, which comes to those who are willing to die to self and make full surrender to God.
Q.
How powerful is the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer who is totally surrendered to God and walking with God, by faith, every step?
A.
The Holy Spirit is so powerful that the totally committed believer is delivered from the penalty, the pollution and the power of sin; the believer is made clean and kept clean (cleansed from all sin) as long as he is walking in the Spirit; the believer is more than a conqueror.
Galatians 5:16-18
(16) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
(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.
(18) But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Galatians 5:24-25
(24) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
(25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
DLG note... God's plan of salvation, for all men, has always been to justify freely and to sanctify wholly. God's plan has always been to save us from all sin. God's plan has always been to make us more than conquerors. God's plan of salvation...
Titus 2:14
(14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
(23) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(24) Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
