"BORN OF GOD" DEVOTIONAL BOOK

A literal and instantaneous change takes place in the inward (spiritual) person, at the time of receiving Christ.  However, along with this inward change comes a battle between the old carnal nature and the new spiritual nature.

II Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

Galatians 6:15, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth  any thing, nor un-circumcision, but a new creature."

Romans 7:23, "But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members."

Romans 8:7-9,  "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:  for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.  Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."

I Peter 2:11, "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul."

Conclusion:  The "new creature" is the inward person who has had a change of mind, attitude and spiritual nature.  As a result of the inward change, the new, spiritual nature and the old, carnal nature struggle for control of the flesh.  As we grow closer to Christ and stronger in our faith, we become more able to overcome and control the carnal nature and the behavior of the flesh.

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