Chapter 8
The Two Natures: Living in Adam and Christ
"Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned... For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ."
— Romans 5:12, 17
Two Presidents, One Person
Let me give you an illustration that will help clarify our present condition.
Imagine a person who holds dual citizenship. They were born in Country A but became a citizen of Country B. They carry two passports. They belong to two nations.
Now, both countries have presidents. Country A has President Adam. Country B has President Christ. This person is subject to both presidents, not because they choose to be, but because of their dual citizenship.
When they operate under Country A's laws, they experience what President Adam offers. When they operate under Country B's laws, they experience what President Christ offers.
You are this person.
By physical birth, you belong to Adam. By spiritual birth (being born again), you belong to Christ. You carry both identities. And you can operate under either president at any given moment.
The Doctrine of Two Presidents
This is biblical teaching, not imagination. Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15 both address this dual reality.
What We Inherited from Adam (President #1)
| Inheritance | Scripture | |------------|-----------| | Sin nature | "Through one man sin entered the world" (Romans 5:12) | | Death | "Death spread to all men" (Romans 5:12) | | Condemnation | "Through one man's offense, judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation" (Romans 5:18) | | Corruption | "Corruption" (1 Corinthians 15:42) | | Dishonor | "Sown in dishonor" (1 Corinthians 15:43) | | Weakness | "Sown in weakness" (1 Corinthians 15:43) | | Earthly body | "The first man was of the earth, made of dust" (1 Corinthians 15:47) |
What We Receive Through Christ (President #2)
| Inheritance | Scripture | |------------|-----------| | Grace | "Abundance of grace" (Romans 5:17) | | Righteousness | "Gift of righteousness" (Romans 5:17) | | Justification | "By one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life" (Romans 5:18) | | Eternal life | "Grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life" (Romans 5:21) | | Incorruption | "Raised in incorruption" (1 Corinthians 15:42) | | Glory | "Raised in glory" (1 Corinthians 15:43) | | Power | "Raised in power" (1 Corinthians 15:43) | | Heavenly body | "As is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly" (1 Corinthians 15:48) |
The Daily Choice
Here is the reality of the Intermediate Purpose: Every day, you choose which president you will serve.
You cannot escape being under Adam in the physical sense, your body is Adamic. It gets tired, sick, old, and will eventually die. This is the reality of physical existence in this dispensation.
But you can choose which president governs your soul, your mind, will, and emotions.
When you walk according to the flesh (the Adamic nature), you experience the fruit of Adam:
| • Fear | • Pride |
| • Anxiety | • Lust |
| • Anger | • Bitterness |
| • Despair |
When you walk according to the Spirit (the Christ nature), you experience the fruit of Christ:
| • Love | • Kindness |
| • Joy | • Goodness |
| • Peace | • Faithfulness |
| • Patience | • Gentleness |
| • Self-control |
Galatians 5:16-17:
"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish."
Notice the conflict: these are contrary to one another. There is a war within you. Two natures. Two presidents. One must be chosen.
Why Is This So Hard?
People often ask: "If I am born again, why is it still so difficult to live right? Why do I still struggle?"
The answer is the two natures. You have not yet received your glorified body. You still carry the Adamic flesh. And that flesh fights against the Spirit every single day.
Romans 7:15, 18-19:
"For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do... For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice."
Does this sound like you? It should. This is the experience of everyone in the Intermediate Purpose. Anyone who claims otherwise is not being honest.
The Hope Within the Struggle
But here is the hope:
Romans 7:24-25:
"O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
And Romans 8:1-2:
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death."
You are not condemned for the struggle. You are free through the struggle. The very fact that you feel the conflict proves you are alive in Christ. Dead men don't wrestle. If you are wrestling, you are alive.
Practical Victory: How to Choose Christ Daily
1. Start Each Day Under His Government
Before your feet hit the floor, acknowledge: "Today I serve President Christ. My flesh may protest, but I choose His authority over my life."
2. Feed the Right Nature
The nature you feed is the nature that grows strong.
- Feed the flesh? It becomes dominant.
- Feed the Spirit? It becomes dominant.
How do you feed each?
Feeding the Flesh:
- Ungodly media
- Ungodly relationships
- Self-centered thinking
- Refusal to pray or study Scripture
- Holding onto unforgiveness
Feeding the Spirit:
- Prayer
- Scripture meditation
- Worship
- Godly fellowship
- Obedience to the word of God
3. Confess Quickly
When you fail (and you will), confess quickly. Do not let sin sit and grow roots.
1 John 1:9:
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Confession is not about earning forgiveness, it was already purchased. Confession is about maintaining fellowship. When you confess, you come back under Christ's government.
4. Walk by the Spirit, Not by Feelings
Feelings are often connected to the Adamic nature. They fluctuate. They lie. They make sin attractive and righteousness boring.
Walk by the Spirit means walking by faith in what God has said, regardless of how you feel.
Galatians 5:16:
"Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."
Notice the promise: walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. It is certain, if you walk by the Spirit, you will not be dominated by the flesh.
5. Remember Your Identity
You are not primarily a sinner. You are a saint who sometimes misses the mark.
Your identity is in Christ. The old man has been crucified (Romans 6:6). Sin no longer has dominion over you (Romans 6:14). You are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
When temptation comes, do not respond as "a sinner trying not to sin." Respond as "a child of God who does not belong to that anymore."
The Coming Resolution
The conflict between the two natures will not last forever.
When Christ returns and we receive our glorified bodies, the Adamic nature will be completely removed. There will be no more war. No more struggle. No more flesh to fight against.
1 Corinthians 15:53-54:
"For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'"
Until then, we fight. But we fight with hope. We fight knowing the outcome is already decided. President Christ has won. It is only a matter of time before His victory is fully manifested in us.
Reflection Questions
- In which areas of your life do you feel the strongest conflict between the two natures?
- Which "president" have you been unconsciously serving most this past week?
- What are you feeding your spirit? What are you feeding your flesh?
- How does understanding the "two presidents" illustration help you approach daily temptation?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I live with two natures. My flesh pulls me toward Adam. My spirit longs for You. Today I choose You. I submit my mind, will, and emotions to Your government. When I fail, help me confess quickly and return. Feed my spirit. Starve my flesh. And give me hope in the coming day when this battle will be over forever. In Your name, Amen.