Sanctification and our two natures
By J.P. Thackway
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. Roms.7:21
In the statement above are some truths that belong to every Christian’s experience.
a] Paul has a good aim.
“I would do good” – a word that stands for everything that pleases God (Micah 6:8). By grace, he actively sought this (Matthew 5:6).
b] He found something contrary.
“When I would do good, evil is present with me.” He means he is pulled the opposite way: “evil.” Every grace in us has its opposite corruption. If we exercise faith, we find unbelief rising. Love, and we feel hardness. Patience, and we are tempted to fretfulness. Holiness, and sin raises its ugly head.
c] Paul calls it a definite thing.
“A law.” It is something that tries to rule us. And so we find that holiness is so hard because sin is so strong.
d] It is something always there.
“I find.” This is what we call remaining sin, or as Paul puts it twice in Romans 7, “sin that dwelleth in me” (verses 17,20). Because we are regenerate, we are not in our sins, but sin is still in us.
This is saying that each of us as Christians feels two strong desires within. Here, Paul calls them “good” … “evil.” Elsewhere Scripture uses other terms: “spirit” … “flesh” (Galatians 5:17); “new man” … “old man” (Ephesians 4:22,24); “new heart” … “heart desperately wicked” (Ezekiel 36:26; Jeremiah 17:9).
These are two contrary principles and powers, each working in us and competing for our obedience. For convenience, we call these our “two natures.” By “nature,” we mean what will cause us to act; the inclination we tend to follow.
This gives to us the biblical understanding of a real Christian. Spurgeon, in his preaching, put it this way,
I hold that there is in every Christian two natures… There is … a spiritual nature, coming directly from heaven, as pure and as perfect as God himself, who is the author of it; and there is also in man that ancient nature which, by the fall of Adam, hath become altogether vile, corrupt, sinful, and devilish.
More recently, reformed teachers have denied this. In 1971, Donald Macleod, in a magazine article, maintained that Christians are only “the new man.”[1] And J.I. Packer has written, “A widespread but misleading line of teaching tells us that Christians have two natures: an old one and a new one.”[2] John MacArthur writes similarly, “If you are a Christian, it’s a serious misunderstanding to think of yourself as having both an old and new nature. We do not have a dual personality!”[3]
These men stand for a “one nature view.” What does this teach? MacArthur again,
Biblical terminology, then, does not say that the Christian has two different natures. He has but one nature, the new nature in Christ. The old self dies and the new self lives. They do not coexist … The Christian is a single new person, a totally new creation, not a spiritual schizophrenic.[4]
If the question is asked: if we have only one nature – the new nature – why can a Christian still sin? According to MacArthur, sin comes from our fallen and corrupt body,
[Paul] does not warn about sin reigning in our souls or in our spirits, but only about its reigning in our bodies, because that is the only place in a Christian where sin can operate.[5]
In reply to this, and to clarify what we mean by “two natures.”
a] We are not saying that Christians have a dual personally.
They are not two entities inside us working on their own. By two natures, we simply mean two opposing principles, each seeking the government of our soul and life.
b] Macarthur says that the body is the source of sinning.
But that suggests the body itself is evil, which it is not (1 Corinthians 6:19). Its role is as the vehicle of either sin or righteousness (Romans 6:12,13). Sin is in our nature, not in our body.
c] The “one nature view” can be misleading.
It implies that it is well with us by nature unless we give way to our bodily instincts and urges. But this promises too much: it is as if all we need do is operate on the level of our regenerate nature, and keep clear of the body and its corruptions.
However, we know that the problem of remaining sin is deeper than that. All is not well within us: “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, etc.” (Mark 7:21). The source of sinning is in the very warp and woof of our being. It is alive within us. The new nature from God, however, enables us to function as true Christians.
Clear understanding on this point is important. It is more than a theological matter – it belongs to what makes us Christians, and to our sanctification – the work of God in us whereby He subdues our sin and makes us gradually more holy like Himself. Let us see how a right understanding helps us regarding our sanctification.
1. WE ARE NOT WHAT WE ONCE WERE
1] Before our conversion, all was carnal.
We inherited a corrupt nature from our fall in Adam. It makes us what we fundamentally are, and what determines our conduct. We have anature whose default is away from God and toward every sin. Naturally, we are unbelievers, rebels, haters of God and transgressors (Romans 8:5-7; 1 Corinthians 2:14. Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 2:16).
This left us with no ability to believe and know God, Christ and heaven. We were fools and blind. We lived in sin and loved it, and yet did not know it. We were on the broad way to eternal damnation.
2] When we were converted, we began life in the Spirit.
Conversion is nothing less than “regeneration” or a “new birth” from heaven (John 3:3 margin). By this miracle, the Holy Spirit quickens us and brings us into union with Christ and His saving fullness. The Spirit then indwells us as the One through Whom we love Christ and holiness.
The new nature from heaven did not change or replace the old nature but created a new one. It gave us a new set of desires and powers – and all to lead us to believing, loving and obeying God in Christ. A remarkable verse in this connection is 2 Peter 1:4 “partakers of the divine nature.” This, of course, does not mean we share His divine essence. Rather, it says that this new nature, akin to God, means we take part with God in all that pleases Him, including holiness: “partakers of his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10).
3] Now we find the conflict begins.
There is still the “evil” that is at work in us. What we term remaining sin or the old nature. It means, therefore, that we have within us two different capacities or abilities to think, speak and act. These are opposed and contrary: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). It is expressed also in Galatians 5:17 “the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other.”
4] We are, therefore, never free from the contrary working of sin.
Or even from the consciousness of it. Henry Twells’ words ring true for us all,
And none, O Lord, have perfect rest,
For none are wholly free from sin;
And they who fain would serve Thee best
Are conscious most of wrong within.
Although we experience this internal civil war, let us never forget that we are not what we once were. We are regenerate and in the Spirit. We are like a boxer who has an opponent he must fight. But he has a trainer who helps him win. Our opponent is the old nature, but the Trainer is the Holy Spirit, who energises the new nature to fight the good fight of faith.
2. WE ARE BECOMING WHAT WE ARE CALLED TO BE
That is, to be more holy, “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Sanctification is the work of God in us by which He gradually makes us holy in heart and life. What we are considering helps us see how He does it.
1] By helping us to obey the new nature.
Colossians 3:8-10 “Put off” … “put on.” It is vital that we starve the old man and feed the new man. If we do that, the one has less influence with us, and the other has more. George Whitefield reminds us that sometimes the Lord uses trials to accomplish this,
This remaining body of sin … How hard, how slow, he dies! Oh, for a heart gladly to embrace every cross, every trying dispensation that may have a tendency to poison, or starve, or nip the buddings of the old – and cherish, promote, or cause to bloom and blossom the graces and tempers of the new man in my soul.
2] We avoid whatever helps our old nature.
Romans 13:14 “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” If we are serious about this it will lead to our being careful what we see, read, hear and encounter.
It will affect Internet browsing, reading material, and use of the media: “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out” Proverbs 26:20.
3] We must yield to the new nature and its leading.
The Holy Spirit indwells us, who is sometimes called the Spirit with a capital “S.” Therefore, Paul writes, “walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Our renewed nature has the Holy Spirit; the flesh has the devil to act on it. We know, therefore that victory will be ours.
The story of the converted Indian given too much change at the trading post illustrates this. The next day he was back to return it. The owner of the trading post asked him why he did not just keep the extra, to which the Indian replied: “In me is two Indians; one good, one bad. Bad Indian say ‘Keep money.’ Good Indian say ‘Take’m back.’ They fight all night long. I get no sleep. Good Indian finally win.”
4] The Lord promises to weaken sin’s power in us.
Micah 7:19 “he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities.” James Smith helpfully illustrates this,
But like fire apparently quenched, it will break out again and again; like rebels in a state, it will seize every opportunity of disturbing the peace and happiness of the soul. Hear, then, what the Lord says to you … ‘I will subdue your iniquities.’ Carry your complaint to His throne, plead His faithful word, and expect His promised power to subdue your iniquities. Sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law, but under grace. Grace reigns, and will conquer every rival lust.
5] There is comfort when we fail.
The old nature will never be eradicated – any more than the new nature will ever perfectly prevail. Philip Melancthon once confessed, “Old Adam was too strong for young Melanchthon.” However, we do not sin as we once did: God gives us repentance, pardon, and restoration. And this shows us what we are. William Gurnall made the point, “A sheep may fall into a ditch, but it is the swine that wallows in it.” The regenerate show they are new, different creatures by their rising up from sin and persevering in holiness (Psalm 37:23,24).
6] The conflict keeps us humble and dependent.
We acknowledge our Lord’s words, “without me, ye can do nothing.” In addition, nothing that we do will be perfect – all will seem tainted. This is why need a Mediator who “bears the iniquity of our holy things” (Exodus 38:28) and through whose merit all we offer to God is accepted. And we will give God all the glory for anything good and worthy: “for thou hast wrought all our works in us” (Isaiah 26:12).
3. WE WILL ONE DAY BE ALL WE COULD WISH
1] It will not always be the battle.
Our old nature never weakens, but the motions of sin can be weakened. And every victory reminds us that one day there is final victory. Matthew Henry likens it to the “long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker” (2 Samuel 3:1). He wrote,
The contest between grace and corruption in the hearts of believers, who are sanctified but in part, may fitly be compared to this recorded here. There is a long war between them, the flesh lusted against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh; but, as the work of sanctification is carried on, corruption, like the house of Saul, grows weaker and weaker; while grace, like the house of David, grows stronger and stronger, till it come to a perfect man, and judgment be brought forth unto victory.
2] In death, we leave our old nature behind.
We shall then be perfected in holiness to enter heaven. And afterwards at the resurrection we will have bodies like that of our Lord Jesus Christ, the embodiment of perfect holiness (Philippians 3:20). Then will be realised Watts’ words,
Sin my worst enemy before
Shall vex my eyes and ears no more,
My inward foes shall all be slain,
Nor Satan break my peace again.
Then shall I see, and hear, and know
All I desired or wished below.
And every power find sweet employ
In that eternal world of joy.
In summary, concerning holiness, we can say that regeneration begins it, sanctification matures it, and glory will complete it. Despite all the opposition of our carnal remains, “the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18).
[1] Banner of Truth Magazine No.92, May 1971, pages 13-19.
[2] Rediscovering Holiness (Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Publications, 1992), page 83.
[3] The Good-Natured Believer, Masterpiece (March–April 1990), page 18.
[4] The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Ephesians, page 164.
[5] Ibid, Romans, 6:13,14.