The Enemy of Righteousness
The Enemy of Righteousness: The Carnal Nature
What is Righteousness?
It is our right standing in God given in the New Birth.
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Therefore Beloved, “do NOT walk according to the flesh but live according to the Spirit.” This is how the righteous requirement of the law is fulfilled: Jesus condemned sin in the flesh. Why? Jesus condemned sin in the flesh so that those in Christ would walk according to the Spirit who resides in them, and NOT live according to the “old” sinful nature. (See Romans 8:3-4)
But, the choice still remains with us…each and every day.
THE CARNAL NATURE
Desires to be its own God.
Is prideful and selfish.
Will not submit to God.
Sets its mind on living and satisfying only physical needs.
Is controlled by unholy desires.
Makes all decisions based on the senses (feelings) and natural reasoning.
Is hostile to God, His Kingdom, His purpose.
Caters to all appetites and impulses of the flesh.
Cannot please God and is His enemy.
The sinful mind (thought life) is against obedience to God.
The mind of the carnal nature is death.
There is condemnation to those who walk according to the flesh.
THE RIGHTEOUS
Yield to God, putting Him and what His Word says first place.
Submissive to His ways and His leading.
They desire to be “led” by the inner Holy Spirit.
They spend quiet time with the LORD every day.
They know they are a New Creation in Christ.
They live in agreement with the Holy Spirit.
They set their mind (thought life) to be obedient and live in peace.
They please God.
They are not controlled by the carnal nature; they rule over it.
They demonstrate the quality of holiness in Him.
There is NO condemnation to those who walk according to the Spirit.
They walk free from the law of sin and death.
They walk in the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus!
“And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Read Romans 8: 1-10 often.
THE UNSAVED
The lost can never become the righteousness of God because they were born with a sin nature as a result of Adam’s sin.
Righteousness is an attribute of God’s very nature.
Only through the New Birth can this be transferred.
And so the ungodly often find themselves making up their own religion and doing good works to establish their value and identity.
Peter’s letter to the Believers:
“Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ…” (2 Peter 1:1)
THIS IS THAT…which righteousness will produce:
“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”
(Colossians 1:27-28)
What is Righteousness?
It is our right standing in God given in the New Birth.
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Therefore Beloved, “do NOT walk according to the flesh but live according to the Spirit.” This is how the righteous requirement of the law is fulfilled: Jesus condemned sin in the flesh. Why? Jesus condemned sin in the flesh so that those in Christ would walk according to the Spirit who resides in them, and NOT live according to the “old” sinful nature. (See Romans 8:3-4)
But, the choice still remains with us…each and every day.
THE CARNAL NATURE
Desires to be its own God.
Is prideful and selfish.
Will not submit to God.
Sets its mind on living and satisfying only physical needs.
Is controlled by unholy desires.
Makes all decisions based on the senses (feelings) and natural reasoning.
Is hostile to God, His Kingdom, His purpose.
Caters to all appetites and impulses of the flesh.
Cannot please God and is His enemy.
The sinful mind (thought life) is against obedience to God.
The mind of the carnal nature is death.
There is condemnation to those who walk according to the flesh.
THE RIGHTEOUS
Yield to God, putting Him and what His Word says first place.
Submissive to His ways and His leading.
They desire to be “led” by the inner Holy Spirit.
They spend quiet time with the LORD every day.
They know they are a New Creation in Christ.
They live in agreement with the Holy Spirit.
They set their mind (thought life) to be obedient and live in peace.
They please God.
They are not controlled by the carnal nature; they rule over it.
They demonstrate the quality of holiness in Him.
There is NO condemnation to those who walk according to the Spirit.
They walk free from the law of sin and death.
They walk in the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus!
“And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Read Romans 8: 1-10 often.
THE UNSAVED
The lost can never become the righteousness of God because they were born with a sin nature as a result of Adam’s sin.
Righteousness is an attribute of God’s very nature.
Only through the New Birth can this be transferred.
And so the ungodly often find themselves making up their own religion and doing good works to establish their value and identity.
Peter’s letter to the Believers:
“Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ…” (2 Peter 1:1)
THIS IS THAT…which righteousness will produce:
“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”
(Colossians 1:27-28)
Cory, Contributing editor
Originally published as "This is that - 3.30.19
https://www.prayerwithpurpose.org/this-is-that
Originally published as "This is that - 3.30.19
https://www.prayerwithpurpose.org/this-is-that
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