Transference of Natures

Another stop we must make on this transference journey is that of our sinful nature. It is another aspect we must contend with if Jesus is to become greater in our lives.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
[Eph 4:22-24]

Discard the old; renew attitudes; and put on our new nature. It's a transference of natures. The sin-damaged creature for our new self, created in the image of it's Redeemer.

Created in God's image
Lost to sin
Redeemed in Christ
Restored and resurrected in The End

Living in this mid-stage cycle, it is part of our life of faith in Christ to be transformed into that of Christ-like character by God. I'm not rid of this stubborn sin nature, but the Fruit of the Spirit becomes more evident with each victory. It's transference of the Divine kind.

All this is possible entirely because of Jesus and only by the power of the Holy Spirit are we able to put off the old tendencies and put on new virtues. Oswald Chambers summed it up best when he wrote;

"The expression of Christian character is not good doing, but
God-likeness. If the Spirit of God has transformed you within, you will exhibit divine characteristics in your life, not good human characteristics. God's life in us expresses itself as God's life, not as human life trying to be godly. The secret of a Christian is that the supernatural is made natural in him by the grace of God."

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
[Rm 8:5]

Deliberate transference of the mind from the sinful nature to the Spirit is my responsibility. The body that houses the sinful nature is dead and the Spirit lives to righteousness (ref Rm 8:9-11). I must purpose a transference from a dead body to life in the Spirit to cultivate holiness.

Actions follow faith. Given a new nature in Christ, we must choose to live by this new nature, trusting that God provides the power to overcome the desires of the flesh. Knowing in full confidence that we are now able to mortify our sinful desires.

Learning to utilize the power of the Holy Spirit by training through spiritual disciplines renews my mind. Temptations of the flesh, from the world and satan are conquered.

Submission of the old nature and surrender to the sanctifying work of Christ Jesus, live by the righteous power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus will become greater -- as to overrule my lesser nature.

The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.
[Rm 6:10-13]

My old nature dead and buried,
now alive and free;
Jesus, become greater in me.



2009 Continuing Series ~ Transference
Based on John 3:30: "Jesus must increase, I must decrease"