Nature Based upon our upbringing, education, preferences, and vocation, we develop a perception of our nature that determines how we act and what we choose to do. Those who see themselves as athletic will exert the effort and discipline to align with that identity. It’s just what athletes do. An insurance company made a series of commercials that used this principle. If you’re a cat, you ignore people. If you’re a mom, you call at the wrong time. If you’re a couple, you fight over directions. If you’re Peter Pan, you stay young. If you’re a parrot, you repeat what you hear. The identity of nature is powerful in affecting behaviors. As long as there is an identity with a nature, there will be definite actions that are enabled and inspired. The same is true in our spiritual lives. The problem is that many people walk around believing that their truest identity is defined by sin—by failure, weakness, or by what the world says about them. And when you see yourself as a sinner at the core, you naturally live out that identity: guilt, shame, compromise, and bondage become the pattern. But when you are in Christ, your identity shifts. You are no longer defined by sin; you are defined by His righteousness. And just as the athlete naturally trains, and the cat naturally ignores, the one who truly knows they are righteous in Christ will begin to live differently—not by striving, but by the overflow of who they are in Him. Notes Created for fellowship with God Genesis 1:27 (NIV) 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God’s nature – Light/Purity/Holiness 1 John 1:5-6 (NLT) 5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. 6 So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. Man’s nature – Sin/Death Romans 5:12 (NLT) 12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. In Christ the sin nature is removed and made right. Romans 3:23-24 (NLT) 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. The removal of the sin nature occurs in its death – cannot sin if dead. Romans 6:6-7,13-14 (NLT) 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. Though Christ took our sins, until identity is in Him, we can still choose a sin identity. Romans 6:16, 20-23 (NLT) 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. 21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. 22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus carried our sin so we could die to it and live the life and health. 1 Peter 2:24 (NLT) 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Identity transformation in Christ from the old sin to the new righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! The provided right nature needs putting on. Colossians 3:3-10 (NLT) 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. 5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In Christ, we look differently to God and ourselves, clothed in righteousness and blessing. Isaiah 61:10 (NLT) 10 I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels. Transformed nature identity begins with calling on the Name. Romans 10:12-13 (TLB) 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect: they all have the same Lord who generously gives his riches to all those who ask him for them. 13 Anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Overview Created for Fellowship – God made us in His image to walk with Him (Genesis 1:27). The Problem of Sin – Through Adam, sin entered the world, bringing death and separation (Romans 5:12). Sin Identity – Living from a sin nature leads to guilt, shame, and bondage. Christ’s Work – Jesus bore our sins, crucified the old nature, and set us free (Romans 6:6–7; 1 Peter 2:24). New Identity – In Christ we are new creations, clothed in righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:17; Isaiah 61:10). Living it Out – We must put on the new nature daily and walk in God’s grace (Colossians 3:3–10). The Call – Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved and transformed (Romans 10:13). Prayer “Father, I thank You that You created me for fellowship with You. Thank You that, though sin once separated me, through Jesus Christ I have been made new. I no longer live under the identity of sin and shame, but in the righteousness of Christ. Lord, help me to walk daily in this new nature, putting aside the old ways and embracing the life and freedom You have given. Renew my mind, align my heart with Your truth, and let my actions flow from who I am in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” Declarations I was created in God’s image for fellowship with Him. My old sinful nature was crucified with Christ — it no longer defines me. I am clothed in the righteousness of Christ and walk in His freedom. Sin is no longer my master; I live under the grace of God. I am a new creation — the old is gone, the new has come. By faith, I call on the name of the Lord, and I am saved, healed, and made whole.