Two Natures: Old & New

DAY 5

Victory through Surrender

Read Ephesians 4:22-24; Matthew 5:21-22,27-28; Philippians 4:7-8; Romans 8:37-39; 6:1-11.
In Ephesians 4:22 Paul referred to a deliberate decision Christians make to lay aside or put off the old nature. The picture is of a person who has been wearing a suit of clothes for a long time. Then, in an intentional act, the person takes off the old clothes and lays them aside, not to be worn again.
That kind of decision settles the outcome of the civil war going on within you. The old nature is still alive and active in you. However, its power is rendered helpless when you decide to lay it aside. Choosing to make a permanent commitment to Jesus Christ allows His full power to be active in you.
In Ephesians 4:23 Paul spoke of your mind being renewed. Jesus also made an interesting connection between our thoughts and our actions. Read what He said in Matthew 5:21-22,27-28. According to Jesus, where does every action begin?
Did you say something like “in your mind” or “with a thought”?
In your opinion, what can you do to renew your mind? Paul gave good advice in Philippians 4:7-8. Summarize those verses here.
The Christian Standard Bible expresses Paul’s advice this way:
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.
PHILIPPIANS 4:7-8
Did your summary of the verses include all of these ideas?
Read Romans 8:37 to find out what Christ will give you when you make Him the Lord and Master of your life.
What kind of victory do you experience, or what kind of conqueror do you become?
Romans 8:38-39 continues the same thought with the assurance that nothing in the world can separate you from the love of God through Jesus Christ your Lord. Note especially that verse 38 says nothing in life can separate you from Christ. You may sometimes feel that life situations are your greatest hindrances as you try to live in your new nature. Christ is victorious over all situations you face. You need only to invite Him into those life situations, whatever they may be, and let His mighty power work. That’s what prayer is for.
The apostle Paul made clear that a Christian has no excuse to live with the old nature still in control.
Read Romans 6:1-2.
What unanswerable question did Paul ask in verse 2?
In Romans 6:3-5 Paul explained that baptism is a public confession of something that has already taken place in your life. What’s that confession?
In baptism you confess that your old, sinful self is dead and that you’ve been raised to new life in Christ. According to Romans 6:6-7, what happened to free you from the power of the old nature?
Paul said your old nature was crucified with Christ. How, then, did Paul describe your life as a Christian in Romans 6:8-11?
Paul gave the key to living with the new nature in control.
Read Romans 6:12-13.
Explain the key in your own words.
You can’t fake the life of Christ, who’s your new nature, by trying to make your old nature behave differently.
Rather, you must constantly choose against your old nature. Trying to be like Jesus is an impossibility. Instead, you must let Jesus Christ become the reigning King of your life. You must give Him the right to guide your thoughts and to control your actions. When you do that, you settle once and for all the fact that He came into your life to be your Lord, the One to whom you belong.
Being a Christian isn’t just doing something. It’s primarily containing Someone. Christ is in you. He’s your new nature. When you deliberately choose to let Him be the leader of your life—your words, your habits, your thoughts, your everything—He becomes the resident King of your existence. The spiritual gifts He gives you will flow through your life. You’ll know that the life you’re living isn’t your life but His.
Imagine that you want to be a great football player. Although you don’t have what it takes, you still try with all your might. But your best isn’t enough. You’ve given it your best shot, but you know you’ve failed.
Then on the sidelines a man walks up to you and introduces himself. Your heart leaps into your throat! He’s one of the greatest football players of all time. He offers to do a strange thing. He explains that he has the power to take his strength out of his body and place it in yours. He also offers to put his knowledge of the game into your mind and to give you all the skill he has developed.
You agree to the offer! In a moment you’re back on the field, passing with more accuracy and running with more speed than you ever dreamed you could. Your mind races through the plays; you recall every one. The crowd cheers you! You’re playing the game of a legendary hero.
Yet in your heart you know why you’re playing such a brilliant game. You have the power, skill, knowledge, and strength of the most famous football player of all time implanted in your life. You’re humbled by the experience. Others may applaud you, but you know the true source of your performance.
Christ will do exactly that for you, for the rest of your life. You belong to your choice. Crown Him Lord of your life—today, tomorrow, and forever.
Christ guarantees you overwhelming victory!
What situations are defeating you on life’s playing field? Imagine that a time-out has been called. Your coach calls you to the sidelines and asks, “What’s going wrong out there?” Record your answer here.
Then the coach says, “Can’t you see that those things wouldn’t be happening if you were following my game plan instead of calling the plays the way you want to? Listen to me, and I’ll tell you again what you need to do differently to stop the opponent from defeating you.”
Think about the areas of defeat you listed. Take time to pray and meditate. Let Jesus Christ, your Coach, tell you what you need to do to follow His game plan today to gain the victory. Record the game plan you’ll follow today.
Now pray and surrender the life you’ll live today to the Coach who wants to play His game plan through you.

Review This Week’s Study

This week you examined the continuing conflict between the old nature and the new nature in your life. You also learned the secret to ensure that the new nature will be victorious over the old nature.
What’s the old nature?
Who’s the new nature?
Briefly describe the purpose the old nature is trying to accomplish in your life.
Briefly describe the purpose the new nature is trying to accomplish in your life.
What does the phrase “You belong to your choice” have to do with your inner conflict with sin?
How has the fruit of the new nature in your life changed the way you make choices and the way you relate to others?