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| PentecostalTheology.com
DELIVERED AND NO LONGER WRETCHED – Ray E Horton
Some Christians feel trapped in this earth suit? Before their eyes are opened to their new nature, they can relate to Paul’s passage that says: “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” (Rom 7:14-15).
Who Shall Deliver Me?
Paul describes the wretchedness of the flesh, not the old nature, which is dead and gone
Thank the Lord that Paul goes on: “Who will deliver me from the body of this death?” and gives the answer: “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 7:24-25). Jesus has delivered us.
Then he continues in Rom. 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” By grace we can walk according to the Spirit and not be condemned by the flesh since we are now “in Christ Jesus.”
And thank the Lord that “our old man has been crucified with Him, so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we should no longer be slaves to sin” (Rom. 6:6), and: “Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have become new (2 Cor. 5:17).”
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).
Our Nature is Spirit
Paul describes the wretchedness of the flesh, not the old nature, which is dead and gone. Remember, our nature is spirit. That used to confuse me because, like everyone, I sometimes sin.
But then came the revelation of who we are in Christ. That even though our minds must be regularly renewed for the old baggage to drop off, where our souls are in progress, our spirits, that is, our very identity, are made new and we have received the gift of His righteousness.
“God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21).
