This is to Christians…Christians who realize they don’t have it all together. 

I fully understand that we are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), and I agree that we are to disassociate ourselves from our sinful nature (Gal. 2:20), but are we to deny the fact that this sinful nature still abides in us regardless of how mature we become as Christians? 

After all, isn’t the reason we are ministered to so heavily via the Bible BECAUSE of the existence of our sinful nature. 

“Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” –  Romans 7:20

“The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” – Galatians 6:8

I was thinking recently, how many of us are secure enough in who we are in Christ to be honest about who we are without Him?   

In other words, how many of us conceal or misrepresent the existence of our sinful nature because we are not secure enough in Christ to point out God’s grace in our lives?  Could it be that the reason we struggle to open up about our sinful nature is because we are insecure about who we are in Christ?  If we were more secure in our new nature, might we testify more freely, since we are further removed from our sinful nature? 

Think of this for a second:  The very thing many of us get ashamed of (our innate proclivity to sin), is the very thing Jesus died for.  The very things we hide (our sins), were the very things Jesus took on in order to make a public spectacle of Satan! 

In essence, Jesus freed us from humiliation!  We can live in the Spirit and be free from humiliation.  Jesus delivered us from guilt and shame concerning our sinful nature!  He did so not only by dying on the cross for us, by also by transforming the way we regard our own humanity. 

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.” – Galatians 5:24

I was thinking recently, “What should be my attitude towards myself concerning my sinful nature?” 

Should I be ashamed, hypocritical, and insecure because of my sinful nature? 

Towards the other end of the spectrum, should I be proud and self-esteemed, in spite of it? 

Scripture humbles me and lets me know that regardless of how mature I may ever think I am, my heart is naturally wicked (Jeremiah 17:9), I am naturally foolish (Titus 3:3), and I am born into a sinful nature (Psalm 51:5). 

One might be discouraged by such pronouncements against our humanity, but I have too many reasons not to be discouraged by the truth of God’s word.  Sometimes the toughest pill to swallow is our greatest remedy.  A message that utterly humbles us is such a pill, and allowing God to form a healthy self-image in us is such a remedy. 

I believe it is important to understand the power of your sinful nature, so you can contrast and distinguish it from Jesus’ holy nature.  This will help you understand your need for God’s grace, and the IMMENSE presence of God’s grace already at work in your life. 

Remember the perspective of the Apostle Paul, who declared himself the chief among sinners and spoke of the thorn in his flesh.  Paul was at peace with His inherent need for what Jesus brought.  Paul therefore humbly opened up his life to the Holy Spirit and the church, and was spiritually formed.  He was able to knowingly testify of God’s grace in his life, and of how the Spirit controlled his sinful nature. 

The reality is, we were intentionally created with a need for help.  This is a direct affront to our natural sense of independence.  Growing up, we may have been taught that we should strive to be independent and that we should keep our struggles to ourselves.  But, we were not created to be independent.  We were created to do as Proverbs 3:5-6 says:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not in your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” 

Furthermore, we were created not to live alone, but in community with others (Gen. 2:18; Acts 2:42-47). 

When people are insecure about their sinful nature being uncovered, they hide certain parts or all of themselves just as Adam and Eve did when they covered themselves with fig leaves after they sinned.  Since we are sinners saved by grace, if we want to think highly of ourselves or want others to think highly of us, then we have no other choice but to go to great lengths to conceal the existence of this nature.   

If we were secure in all situations, we would bare all and have nothing to hide.  An example of this in my life is that friends whom I wholeheartedly trust make me feel secure enough to share with them the not so lovely parts of my life.  When we are secure, we do not hide our humanity. 

God wants to make us more secure about who we are in Him so we will testify freely about His grace in our lives.  Someone needs you to walk in victory, and someone needs to hear your testimony!  God hasn’t called us to be insecure about our sinful nature.  He has called us to be new creations full of His Spirit, aware of our limitations, and unafraid of testifying about His grace! 

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” – Romans 8:1

I want to encourage you not to be the least bit insecure about your sinful shortcomings.  You are washed with the efficacious blood of Jesus, and you have been given the Holy Spirit. 

Walk in the Spirit, crucify the flesh, and be unashamed.  Victory is yours.  You are a new creation and a child of God. 

Live the Life.