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Our Two Natures: Gaining the Victory!

Our Two Natures: Gaining the Victory!

I would like to know from a psychological and also from a Biblical point of view, does a Christian really have two natures? In other words can a converted person have a new born again nature and an old carnal nature at the same time or is a born again person completely free from the old man?

What does Psychology have to say about this?


This question ties in perfectly with our discussion in SS class yesterday and a f/u point I wanted to make, so thanks for sending it.

The short answer is, yes, we have two natures, but it was not always this way, and will not always be this way.

In the beginning there was only one – one principle, one method, one motive, one attitude, one religion, one God – love, selfless, other-centered love. This was the original nature of mankind, perfect beneficent, giving, other-centered love.

But now there are two. Because of Adam’s sin humanity became infected with an antagonistic principle, a principle that is the opposite of love, a method that is opposed to giving, a motive that wars with beneficence, an attitude that is hostile to others, a religion that undermines trust, a god who is to be feared.

Because of Adam’s sin humanity was changed from beings operating only on perfect other-centered love and trust, to minds and hearts filled with fear and selfishness, which is commonly called, “survival-of-the-fittest.” Today we each struggle against the inherent desire to promote self, protect self and exalt self.

Sadly, modern psychiatry/psychology would say the “survival-of-the-fittest” instinct is normal, and healthy, and part of our evolutionary history and vital for adaptation and survival. But, such a conclusion is wrong. This me-first instinct, is what the Bible describes as “the law of sin and death” and is Satan’s infection to God’s creation. We are all, born into this condition, which, if unremedied, is terminal. (Ps 51:5).

Thankfully, because of God’s love and grace, He did not abandon us to this infection of selfishness and fear, but began intervening in our hearts and minds with His Spirit to draw, woo and influence us back to Him. We each have a desire from something better, to be free from fear and selfishness. Yet despite that desire, we, of ourselves, cannot change our hearts/minds/characters and be free of this destructive motive.

Therefore, Christ came to restore God’s perfect love/nature into the species human and destroy the infection of fear and selfishness. Because of Christ’s victory, each of us is privileged to receive, as a free gift, the very “mind of Christ” via the indwelling Spirit.

From the moment of conversion until glorification, the converted man has a daily battle between his renewed heart of love, and his inherited nature of fear and selfishness. Day by day, through a relationship with Christ, we may choose to trust Him and experience victories over our old nature. In such a relationship we grow daily in love until the day Christ returns and frees us permanently from fear and selfishness and then again there will be only one, one perfect unified creation operating upon love for God and each other.

This is the point I wanted to make in SS class yesterday. The scriptures tell us:

“we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:3-5).

When we find ourselves in difficult circumstances, when we are mistreated, when others spread falsehoods about us, turn their backs on us, send letters which misrepresent us and otherwise say evil against us, our carnal natures will be tempted to “protect self,” to retaliate, to lash back.

But, such times are the very opportunities to experience God’s healing of our minds and hearts. It is when we are faced with such temptations that we have the opportunity to surrender our hearts and minds to God, to trust Him with our lives, our reputations, our circumstances. It is at such times we can choose to love our enemies, to refrain from retaliation, to say no to the temptation to “protect self” and instead trust God and love others. And in so doing, we open the heart to God and He pours His love into our hearts.

And, because God is love, this means He pours Himself into our hearts! We become partakers of the divine nature! Our neural circuits actually rewire! The part of the brain that governs, that loves, that empathizes, that is compassionate grows stronger, and the fear circuits grow weaker. We actually become more and more like Jesus!

It is when we are faced with maltreatment from others that we stand at the door of transformation, at the precipice of renewal, at the border of freedom – freedom from that old life of fear and selfishness. Let us surrender our lives to Christ resist the temptation to retaliate and instead, love as He has loved us!

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Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 10

I personally download and listen to each of Come And Reason Ministries Bible study class lessons and PDF study notes to use when teaching my class. Really appreciate the class especially when Dr. Jennings is teaching. Thank God there are persons like him doing His work and traveling to share His beliefs.

B. L.M., North Plains, OR, USA

 

Testimony 65

I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA

 

Testimony 47

I can’t even begin to thank you and your ministry enough for introducing me to the Truth about a loving and merciful God! I have my daughter and her in-laws to thank for sharing with me “The God-Shaped Brain” as well as your website. I listen to the Bible study class lessons on my daily walk. May God continue to bless your thirst-quenching ministry!

Liz H., Port Angeles, WA, USA

 

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

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Testimony 55

I was born [into the church], then I left it for many years. 10 years ago, I came back, but I could not take the hypocrisy and the lack of answers to the missing pieces. I struggled, but I did not abandon my commitment to know the truth. God is leading me to the simple understanding of his relevance and I am relearning what the church taught me as a youth… that he loves me, that he has led me to a knowledge of him such as I have never known. He is using Dr. Jennings to connect the dots that are now so apparent and hiding in plain sight!

Dean P., Arlington, TX, USA

 

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Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

Testimony 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.

 

Testimony 27

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 16

Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

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Testimony 48

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I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

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