Ed Walsh
Puritan Board Senior
Greetings fellow pilgrims,
Am I speaking accurately according to the Scriptures in what I say in the paragraph below?
I am accustomed to thinking, saying, praying, and lamenting the fact that, although Christ's Seed (1 John 3:9) is planted in my inner man, that the flesh, or the old man, our sinful nature, remains entirely unchanged throughout this life.
Below are the relevant Scriptures that come to mind with a thought or two above each verse. The verses are in no particular order.
In Ephesians, Paul uses the past tense to say that we can have a pretty complete victory over the old man.
In Colossians, Paul intimates that putting off the old man can be a done deal once and for all.
In Romans, we have another example of Paul, which suggests we can be done with the old man once and for all.
Ah, but when we get to Romans 7, we see a real-life experience of the Apostle that seems to tell a different story. Paul uses the pronoun 'I' in several different ways. He boldly claims that he does not sin when speaking about his new man, his new center of being.
But Paul, speaking of his sinful nature, refers to himself again as 'I,' says that he is "carnal," and "sold under sin" and that "in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing." These statements of Paul weighed pretty heavily upon my conclusion above.
In Galatians, Paul speaks of the never-ending conflict between his flesh and his Spirit, concluding that he can never have complete victory over his old nature, which I claim has remained quite unchanged.
This 1 John verse seems to be doing what Paul did by claiming that he did not send. The real him, which he called "I."
For the reasons above and a lifetime of personal experience, I have concluded that the old nature remains quite unchanged in this life.
So, where am I going wrong?
I would appreciate any help you can provide.
Ed
Am I speaking accurately according to the Scriptures in what I say in the paragraph below?
I am accustomed to thinking, saying, praying, and lamenting the fact that, although Christ's Seed (1 John 3:9) is planted in my inner man, that the flesh, or the old man, our sinful nature, remains entirely unchanged throughout this life.
Below are the relevant Scriptures that come to mind with a thought or two above each verse. The verses are in no particular order.
In Ephesians, Paul uses the past tense to say that we can have a pretty complete victory over the old man.
Ephesians 4:22-24 KJV
that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
In Colossians, Paul intimates that putting off the old man can be a done deal once and for all.
Colossians 3:9-10 KJV
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
In Romans, we have another example of Paul, which suggests we can be done with the old man once and for all.
Romans 6:5-7 KJV
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Ah, but when we get to Romans 7, we see a real-life experience of the Apostle that seems to tell a different story. Paul uses the pronoun 'I' in several different ways. He boldly claims that he does not sin when speaking about his new man, his new center of being.
But Paul, speaking of his sinful nature, refers to himself again as 'I,' says that he is "carnal," and "sold under sin" and that "in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing." These statements of Paul weighed pretty heavily upon my conclusion above.
Romans 7:14-23 KJV
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 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. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 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.
In Galatians, Paul speaks of the never-ending conflict between his flesh and his Spirit, concluding that he can never have complete victory over his old nature, which I claim has remained quite unchanged.
Galatians 5:16-17 KJV
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 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.
This 1 John verse seems to be doing what Paul did by claiming that he did not send. The real him, which he called "I."
1 John 3:9 KJV
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.
For the reasons above and a lifetime of personal experience, I have concluded that the old nature remains quite unchanged in this life.
So, where am I going wrong?
I would appreciate any help you can provide.
Ed