WHY NOT OBLITERATION?

WHY NOT OBLITERATION?

Romans [ESV] 8:26-30 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

  “So why didn’t God eradicate my sinful old nature when I trusted Jesus as Redeemer?” asked the frustrated new follower of Christ.

  I see several reasons in His Word.

·         God created us in His image (Gen.1:26-27) which includes free will in decision making. To eliminate our free will at John 3:3 rebirth would adversely alter our resemblance.

·         God’s love and grace would be seriously discounted. We would be changed from man to manikin; looks like but is not!

·         God did not (Adam & Eve), does not make His John 1:12 children do anything.

·         Our sanctification requires free will on our part.

·         In heaven we shall be like Him. His brethren are predestined for conformation.  In present moments to be like Him is optional.

  Bluntly speaking, why would we be interested in eradication of our old nature? In order to eliminate the stresses of sinful options due to our sinful bent toward lazy ease? Indeed so. And then there’s the matter of our wisdom commonly opposed to God’s?

EBB4

PS. I did not arrive at these conclusions my first day in God’s family.