...We have been given a new heart and have to learn how to make a new sound with our minds from the use of it. Much like a bell when it bongs....The old man with his ways is dead and gone...
Let's just focus on these statements to see what is true and what is false, using Scripture as our basis of understanding the dilemma. Yes, it is perfectly true that when God regenerates a sinner by His grace, he gives him or her a new heart and a new spirit, and makes that person a "new creature in Christ". Which also means that "old things are passed away, behold all things are become new'.
But here is where your understanding of this fails. "The old man with his ways is dead and gone". That is a false statement, and can lead to a total misunderstanding of sin in the believer's life.
The "old man" was indeed "crucified with Christ", which means that the POWER of the old Adamic sin nature was destroyed in three ways: (1) sin would no longer have dominion over the believer; (2) the old sins of the unregenerate person would not be brought up by God (who would have "cast them behind His back") through the remission of sins at the time of salvation; and the gift of the Holy Spirit (with the indwelling of the Spirit) would enable every Christian to become an overcomer (as long as he crucified or mortified the "flesh").
However -- and this is extremely important -- our "old man" was not eradicated ("dead and gone" as you claim), which means that the PRESENCE of the sin nature would remain until the Rapture. And it is because of this that Paul has given this exhortation in Galatians 5:13-26. [It is a given that any teaching to any church or individual in the NT is applicable to every church and every individual believer]
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. [If there was no "flesh" within the believer why would Paul say this?]
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. [If these manifestations were impossible, why would Paul say this?]
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. [If the lust of the flesh was "dead and gone", why would Paul say this?]
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. [If there was no conflict between the flesh and the Spirit within the believer, why would Paul say this?]
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
SINS OF THE FLESH POSSIBLE IN CHRISTIANS
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. [If there was no flesh to crucify, why would Paul say this?]
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. [If these sins were not possible in believers, why would Paul say this?]
I trust that after reading this you (and others who may be like-minded) will firmly set aside their false notions and false teachings, and get back to Bible truth.
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