Struggling With The Old Nature?

October 2011 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Struggling With The Old Nature? We Can Help.

Years ago, E. C. Hadley, the founder of Grace & Truth, wrote a booklet entitled The Believer’s Two Natures. He wrote it to address the needs expressed by many new believers who wrote to G&T during the 20th century. Their concerns were similar to the one I received from an e-mailer while working on the second revision of his very popular booklet. It said: “Despite being raised in a strict church all my life, I don’t think I was truly saved until last summer. Now I am very troubled by the ‘old’ me, so much so that I wonder if I am still on my way to heaven. Sometimes I disgust myself with the things I do!”

When we are born again by God’s wondrous grace and the great work of Christ on on the cross, we become partakers of a new, divine nature that loves God and hates sin. But what happens to our old, sinful nature? Hadley gently but convincingly answers questions about the assurance of salvation, the backslidden condition, a guilty conscience, and power over sin. He addresses these important questions by looking at two case studies related to the assurance of salvation, and the power needed for victory over sin.

Having worked closely with the text of this 28-page pamphlet, I was sure that it would help my e-mailer understand the struggle between the believer’s two natures (Eph. 4:17-32; Rom. 6; Col.3:1-17). It contains this helpful table of contents: The Believer’s Two Natures; Why Are We So Often Unhappy?; How Can We Be Sure Of Our Salvation?; Removing Doubt; Regaining Joy; Power For Victory Over Sin; Understanding Our Weakness; No Condemnation; Our Only Source Of Power.

Do you know anyone who has questions about any of these topics, or is having doubts about his/her salvation? The excellent Feature articles in this issue, as well as this booklet could help them. If you’d like a copy of The Believer’s Two Natures, write to us.

By Larry Ondrejack