The Sin Nature (Part 2) INTRODUCTION:
-- LAST WEEK we DEFINED. . . The Sin Nature as that part of the essence of the soul acquired at Adam's Fall and subsequently passed on to EVERY person at birth. (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12)
-- We discovered that The Sin Nature is at the CENTER of the soul's REBELLION against God.
-- Also 5 Bible SYNONYMS for the Sin Nature were studied:
Sin Psalm 51:5--a STATE of sin
Flesh (natural man)
Old Man Ephesians 4:22
Heart Jeremiah 17:9
Carnality Romans 7:14--"I am carnal"
-- TODAY. . . I want us to BUILD some more on what we have already learned.
We want to look at some PRINCIPLES & SOLUTIONS to the Sin Nature Problem that we ALL have.
I. PRINCIPLES Related to the Sin Nature
A. The Sin Nature is the Source of Spiritual Death.
(Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1,5)B. The Sin Nature is Perpetuated in Human Beings through Physical Birth.
(Psalm 51:5; I Timothy 2:13-14)C. A REPENTANT BELIEVER Continues to Have his Sin Nature AFTER Conversion.
(I Corinthians 3:1; I John 1:8)D. A Believer Under the Control of the Sin Nature is Called "carnal".
(Romans 7:14; I Corinthians 3:1ff)E. The Sin Nature Frustrates the Production of Divine Good.
(Romans 7:15)F. The Sin Nature is NOT Found in a TRUE BELIEVER'S Resurrection Body.
(I Corinthians 15:54-56; Philippians 3:21; I Thessalonians 5:23)II. SOLUTIONS to the Problem of the Sin Nature
A. God has Arranged to Provide ALL that is Needed to Deal with the Problems Caused by the Sin Nature in a BELIEVER'S Life.
-- The personal sins of the individual were borne by the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross (I Peter 2:24)
-- These sins will NEVER be mentioned again because they have been already judged in Christ (Revelation 20:12)
B. Jesus Christ has REJECTED Any 'Moral Good' Produced by the Sin Nature in Terms of Its Use as 'Currency' to Purchase Salvation.
(Ephesians 2:8-9)-- This made the way clear for God to provide salvation by GRACE.
[Grace is an UNmerited favour.
_G_od's _R_iches _A_t _C_hrist's _E_xpense]-- The UNBELIEVER will be at the Great White Throne Judgment because of his rejection of this grace provision (Revelation 20:11-15)
C. The BELIEVER'S Sins were Borne on the Cross by the Lord, as were Those of ALL People.
(II Corinthians 5:21)-- When a believer sins, Satan accuses him in Heaven.
-- The Lord Jesus Christ is our Advocate; He pleads our case, and the case is thrown out of court.D. God has Provided Confession of Sin as a Means of Restoring the Broken Fellowship with God Caused by a believer's Personal Sin.
-- The believer can REPENT, CONFESS and BE FILLED with the Spirit (I John 1:9; Proverbs 1:23)
E. 'Moral Good' REJECTED by Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8-9), is NEVER Acceptable to God, and It Does NOT Produce Blessing in the Life of a believer.
-- It is CONTRARY to the principle of grace, in which God does the work.
F. In Christian Growth, the Holy Spirit Provides for the Production of Divine Good in the BELIEVER'S Life, through His Filling, Control, and Teaching Functions.
-- God does the GIVING; Man does the RECEIVING.
CONCLUSION:
-- I hope this study on the Sin Nature has helped you.
-- Please keep in mind these last TWO important points when you are reading your own Bible on a regular basis.