An Outreach Resource Ministry
A Ministry for the Millennium
"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" (1 John 3:9).
This is one of the most misunderstood verses in the Bible. Do not try to understand it in the light of personal experience. Keep in mind that the above verse is speaking of the new nature, not the old nature. The old nature is not born of God. The old nature is born of a fallen man, and is depraved. The new nature is born of God and is holy.
This verse is saying that the new nature does not commit sin, because it is the product of "seed of God." The new nature cannot sin, because it is the divine nature of God, and since God cannot sin, the new nature that issues from His holy seed cannot sin.
The bible tells us that the old nature does sin any time you let it sin. "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lust thereof" (Romans 6:12). As a child of God, you will stay under the old nature by yielding to the desire of the flesh. The old nature will keep you under, and you will live a defeated Christian life.
There is nothing good in the old nature. "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" (Romans 7:18). The power to live a righteous life cannot be found in the old nature. It can only be found the new nature.
If you have been "born again," you have two natures, the old and the new and you are walking according to one of the two. Romans 8:5-6 tells us, "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. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Examine your Christian walk - and ask yourself the question, "AM I WALKING IN THE OLD NATURE OR THE NEW?"
Be Blessed!
Pastor Thelma Gilbert
Pastor Thelma Gilbert
For more information write or call us at:
Pastoral Resource Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 7232
Bloomfield, CT 06002
Phne (860) 243-2168 - Fax: (860) 242-1838
email: prministrie@snet.net
