Two Natures/One Person

When the Bible speaks of a “new man” and an “old man,” it is not speaking of two distinct separate personages in the Christian’s body. But rather, two natures in one person, the old Adamic nature (received at the first birth), and the new Divine nature (received at the second birth). The Believer has one personality with two natures within. One is sinlessly perfect, the other sinfully incurable.

To which of these two principles the saint yields and follows, will determine the life he or she displays before God and man. These entities are constantly in conflict with each other, vying to sit upon the throne of the heart. Both desire to reign in the life; one yearns to rule in righteousness, and the other in unrighteousness. One aggravates the other. When yielding to the baser of the two there will be a retrogression, not an advancement in our life. This inner warfare will continue as long as the saint lives on this earth.

The above is the answer to John’s perplexing statement, “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.” The “seed” is sinless, but not the saint in whom it dwells. Some misunderstand the text because of the word “cannot.” The Bible’s use of the word, generally, does not mean impossible, but improbable. To site just three instances: “As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.”  Yes they could, but it would be unnatural. “I cannot rise and give thee.”  Most certainly, this friend could get out of bed at the late hour (for he did), but it was unseemly to do so. “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit.” O yes it can, but it is wholly against its nature. Therefore, we see a Christian can sin, but it is unnatural for him or her to do so.

I hope this Bible study helped some of you.