I say “not improved” because the new man does not need improved, being the nature after Christ (Col 3:10); and the old man cannot be improved, because it cannot be “subject” to the will of God (Rom 8:7)! I am the new man, not the old, for we “are not in the flesh” (old man or sin nature - Ro 8:9), though it yet “dwells within me.” Paul realized that he was not part of the old man when he said he did not do the wrongs, but the sin (old man) did the wrongs (Ro 7:17, 20 ); and we ourselves, in our new man are not in connection with our old man!
God has placed enmity between the believer and the old man (and between anything opposing God), so that it can be said that it’s not the believer, in his new man sinning, but in the old man; and we are not our old man. This is not to deny we sin but that we are not accountable for the old man; because it is not us, the new man that only desires to please God (1Jo 3:9).
God knows our will is only to please Him, for He “works” this in all who are reborn (Phl 2:13). This answers to why the separation, or sanctification from the old man (flesh). He does not want us to have any part with it, other than when we are tested by its temptings. When we see ourselves sin, we know it is not us in the new man but in the old, and we continue to learn God’s will because of it.
The new man does not sin, and it is never intentional or willful when we do sin. This is the intension of Paul’s use of the word “captive” (Ro 7:23). He still sins against his will, and protests that it is not him doing the sin. He has to be brought “into captivity to the law of sin” which is in him.
Paul knew he still sinned, but he also learned that he is “delivered” from the sin (Rom 7:24), and was thankful to God (v 25). He said he served the will of God “with the mind,” which is the intension of his new man; and when he said it was “myself” (v 25), he was referring also to his new self. He admitted still serving “the law of sin,” but he now knew it was not with himself in the new man that did it, but with the “flesh” (old man or sin nature).
I believe this answers to that “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God” (1Jn 3:9). When you are reborn God “works in you” not to desire to sin—which is the goal. The “seed” is the new nature, that “cannot sin,” which are those reborn and have a new nature from Christ (some think the “new man” is Christ, but this cannot be because it was “created” - Eph 4:24).
When we sin, though it is with the old man, we still confess (admit) we sinned and repent; and thank God for His unbroken and “faithful” forgiveness (1Jn 1:9)!
God has placed enmity between the believer and the old man (and between anything opposing God), so that it can be said that it’s not the believer, in his new man sinning, but in the old man; and we are not our old man. This is not to deny we sin but that we are not accountable for the old man; because it is not us, the new man that only desires to please God (1Jo 3:9).
God knows our will is only to please Him, for He “works” this in all who are reborn (Phl 2:13). This answers to why the separation, or sanctification from the old man (flesh). He does not want us to have any part with it, other than when we are tested by its temptings. When we see ourselves sin, we know it is not us in the new man but in the old, and we continue to learn God’s will because of it.
The new man does not sin, and it is never intentional or willful when we do sin. This is the intension of Paul’s use of the word “captive” (Ro 7:23). He still sins against his will, and protests that it is not him doing the sin. He has to be brought “into captivity to the law of sin” which is in him.
Paul knew he still sinned, but he also learned that he is “delivered” from the sin (Rom 7:24), and was thankful to God (v 25). He said he served the will of God “with the mind,” which is the intension of his new man; and when he said it was “myself” (v 25), he was referring also to his new self. He admitted still serving “the law of sin,” but he now knew it was not with himself in the new man that did it, but with the “flesh” (old man or sin nature).
I believe this answers to that “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God” (1Jn 3:9). When you are reborn God “works in you” not to desire to sin—which is the goal. The “seed” is the new nature, that “cannot sin,” which are those reborn and have a new nature from Christ (some think the “new man” is Christ, but this cannot be because it was “created” - Eph 4:24).
When we sin, though it is with the old man, we still confess (admit) we sinned and repent; and thank God for His unbroken and “faithful” forgiveness (1Jn 1:9)!
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