Dr. C. S. Lovett’s
MARANATHA FAMILY NEWSLETTER
July 2022
THE TWO NATURES OF THE BELIEVER
If I were to ask you, “What is the NUMBER ONE truth of the Bible, you'd have no difficulty answering: "Why it's salvation through faith in our Lord Jesus!" Right, but suppose I asked, “What is the NEXT MOST IMPORTANT TRUTH of the bible, how would you answer?"
The salvation message so dominates the Christian scene that all other truths are sort of lumped together with few standing out from the others. Salvation is just the beginning of the Christian life.
The NUMBER TWO truth of the Bible is the two natures of the believer. Here is the one truth Christians must master, and if they don't:
1. They will remain baffled by many parts of the Bible, for some passages pertain to the old nature only, while others pertain to the new nature only. If they don't know the difference, it will appear to be a contradiction.
2. They won't be able to understand themselves.
WE ARE TO GROW UP
Certain truths impact our lives with staggering power; truths that produce nice changes in us when we focus on them. But until we single them out, they don't affect us. God leaves us on earth after our salvation experience so that we can GROW and CHANGE into His likeness. Christians are like tea bags. They come to full strength when you leave them in hot water. And life on earth provides plenty of hot water for bringing Christians to maturity.
It is God's determined purpose that we should CHANGE and "be conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom. 8:29). Conforming to the likeness of Jesus is a gradual process. It can only be done in a place of change.
GOD'S GENIUS
When we receive Christ, an amazing thing happens. We receive the DIVINE NATURE (2 Pet. 1:4). God does not destroy our old natures; He simply adds the NEW ONE. So the believer ends up with TWO NATURES. It is the struggle between the two natures that provides the perfect environment for a believer to develop into the likeness of Christ.
To have believers confused about the Bible is awful. Feeling awful about themselves is worse, yet thousands are in this predicament. It puts them in a place where they can't understand why they DO and THINK such terrible things. Others end up believing the Bible contradicts itself. On the other hand, if you acquire a working knowledge of the Christian's two natures, you'll never be baffled by these things.
THE TWO NATURES
The apostle Paul calls the old nature, "the old man" and the new nature, "the new man" (Eph. 4:22, 24). In other places, the Bible refers to them as flesh and spirit. These two natures become DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED to each other. The old nature is worldly, the new nature godly. The "tug-o-war" occurring between them provides the stress needed for Christian growth. This explains why Christians can appear to be saintly one minute and devilish the next. You've heard people say, "I don't see how so and so could be a Christian and do such things!" Satan gets them to yield to their old natures, and they act ungodly. He can get the best of us to do this at times.
THEN THERE ARE BIBLICAL PROBLEMS
Consider the seeming contradiction in First John, Chapter One, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us" (vs. 6). Yet, when we look across to Chapter 3 of the same book, we read (vs. 9), "Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin. . .” How do we reconcile these conflicting statements? We can't unless we understand one is speaking of the OLD NATURE which can only sin, and the other is speaking of the NEW NATURE which cannot sin.
You've read Paul's list of the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21). He cites such things as impure thoughts, bad temper, rivalry, factions, and party spirit. Sound familiar? It should. You and I do these things ourselves— if not in DEED, then certainly in OUR MINDS, which is the same as far as God is concerned (Matt. 5:28). But look how he concludes the matter, “I solemnly assure you that those who do such things will never inherit the kingdom of God!"
That's bewildering until we realize he is speaking of the OLD NATURE. It alone does such things. The new man cannot. It's the NEW MAN we take to heaven, the old man drops off at physical death.
THE NUMBER THREE TRUTH
I'll mention what I consider the number 3 truth — learning to recognize Satan's attacks and being able to put him to flight! When God gave me a 4-step plan for DEALING WITH THE DEVIL, I was thrilled beyond words. I remember the first time I took authority over Satan, and he fled on my command. What an adventure! That has made huge changes in my life, opening a whole new resource for me in the Holy Spirit. It gave me a powerful weapon for subduing the OLD MAN—through Christ.
PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY
Something in you would have to die before you could lay hold of these three truths and remain the same person. The last thing the devil wants is for you to acquire knowledge about them. So check with the Holy Spirit to see if I’m on track and then give Satan the brush-off. So go after these three spiritual truths and you can . . .
BECOME MORE LIKE JESUS!
C. S. Lovett
Copyright © 2022 Personal Christianity. All rights reserved.
SINCE YOU ASKED!
QUESTION: “A visiting pastor referred our people to Rev. 20:13 and said, ‘It seems obvious to me that this verse teaches there are different degrees of punishment in hell.’ His remark so stirred my spirit, I haven’t been able to put the matter to rest. Can you help me?”
ANSWER: The answer lies in the verse itself, “And each person was judged according to what he had done.” This judgment occurs after the earthly kingdom is finished. The unsaved dead of all ages are summoned before the great white throne (vs. 11). Here their works (deeds) are evaluated, and punishment is meted on the basis of that judgment.
Simple logic requires a different sentence for each person; otherwise, if all received the same judgment, what would be the point of any judgment at all? Since we know God to be just, His own justice demands the compassionate grandmother who wouldn’t hurt anyone, to be treated differently from the brutal dictator who snuffed out lives for the sport of it. Since God is eternal, His attributes, including justice, must continue on into eternity.
TESTIMONIES
PLEASING RESULTS: “For the Christian who seeks to answer the question, "How do I become a Christian?", this humble book [WITNESSING MADE EASY] makes it simple for both the Christian and the one addressed. Sometimes the best gifts come in a plain paper wrapper. That's true of this self-published book, written and published by pastor Lovett. Having been through many books and classes on this subject, I have used this approach and outline with the most pleasing results.” (R. Lewis—online)
OVERCOMER: “Other than the Bible, this was the first book [DEALING WITH THE DEVIL] I read after becoming a Christian and it was INVALUABLE to my growth as a follower of Christ. It is packed with Bible scripture and helps readers recognize the real and present-day activity of Satan and how to overcome him. I may have not survived without this life-saving instruction. Every born-again believer should read this helpful writing!” (Darob—online)
INSPIRATION: “We are a family who loves the Lord, and we are ‘fighting’ over your book, LOVETT’S LIGHTS ON JOHN. Every time it is laid down, one of us grabs it which makes the others have to wait. On Wednesday evening my husband had ‘firsts,’ because they are studying John in his church class. He comes in the door and says, ‘Where is John?’ It is such an inspiration to me. I need to order more.” J.B.—CA)
RESOURCES
LOVETT’S LIGHTS ON JOHN (2021 edition): 381 pages. The "Lights" in this book reveal the hidden meanings and show how they relate to other great truths of the Bible. Background information such as customs of the time and the way certain words were used in Bible times are included where they provide a key to interpretation. This book will be so helpful in your personal Bible study time as you compare the Scriptures to the insights of the book. Available on Amazon.com sells for $15.99 HERE.
WITNESSING MADE EASY (2019 edition) helps motivate you to get out of your comfort zone in small easy steps such as leaving a Gospel tract in a locked restroom and then progressing gradually to handing a tract to someone with easy dialog suggestions. It also includes ideas for using your computer as a witnessing tool as well. Discover the thrill of sharing the Gospel with others in non-threatening ways. It is available for purchase on Amazon.com for $14.99 HERE.
DEALING WITH THE DEVIL has been updated and revised (2018 edition) for today’s readers. Are you tired of having Satan put dreadful things into your mind? Does he ever make you worry or get upset? Have you noticed his stepped-up activity in your life? Dr. Lovett’s best-selling book is available on Amazon.com and sells for $14.99 HERE.
THE PREPARED LIFE book is a valuable resource for you and your family that can help you be prepared to deal with today’s problems and end-times events. This book is available on Amazon.com and sells for $13.99 and is also available in Kindle form for $7.99 HERE.
You may order these books on Amazon.com. Please use our smile.amazon.com/ch/95-2273247 account, and Personal Christianity will receive a portion of the sale at no cost to you. Barnes and Noble bookstore can also order these books for you. Tell them they are print-on-demand books.
ORIGINAL OIL PAINTINGS BY LINDA LOVETT are available on our website. This is a new way to support our ministry. You decide which of the original framed paintings you would love to have in your home and then contact us by either email or phone. Visit the ART GALLERY on our website to see photos of the paintings still available.
CONTACT US
If you would like to send us a letter, comment, or prayer request, you may contact us at:
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626-338-7333
www.cslovettbooks.com
info@cslovettbooks.com
"Preparing for His Appearing” Since 1951
