Change of Vocabulary in a Frequently Spoken Statement

(by Bill Stevenson-- March 7, 1998)

In a counseling session about my last divorce, I said, “Only with God’s help can we go against our
human nature.” The counselor shocked me by immediately telling me not to say that again. Before I
could start to elaborate on the statement I made, he went to a butcher paper easel and started drawing a
special chart about teaching he received over 20 years ago from Steve Hayner. Below indicates my
understanding of what Mr. Jones drew and taught me.

Creation Time of Innocence The Fall and Post Pentecost-- Post Second Coming
God's First Dispensation of
Covenant Grace
Human Complete trusting in When individuals are righteous via 1 John 1:9 and completely
nature-- God trusting in God.
“in Our by the first man and
likeness” woman.
"It is (No need to eat of
good."
"the Tree of Good
and Evil".)
When individuals live selfishly, pridefully,
etc.-- Fallen Unnatural Nature.

So, I should say from now on, “Only with God’s help can we get back to the pre-Fall way of
thinking— the created good human nature.” Now think about that. That means a very positive reason
for living along with the Great Commission!! That doesn’t mean we stop being against the “fallen
unnatural nature” indicated in Galatians 1-5:21 and Romans 1, but it means are emphasis should be the
transformation indicated in Romans 12 & 8. Look how Romans 8 ends!!:

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have
been called according to His purpose. [29] For those God foreknew He also predestined to be
conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. [30] And
those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also
glorified.
Romans 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
[32] He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all-- how will He not also, along with
Him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has
chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, Who died-- more than
that, Who was raised to life-- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall
separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or
danger or sword? [36] As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered
as sheep to be slaughtered."
Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us. [38] For
I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate
us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

But what keeps us from this way of thinking? Mr. Jones told me new information which explains
this. In his reading of pre-Luther/Reformation Christian philosophy writers, he has concluded that most
post-Reformation individuals are interested in obtaining more information and many of those make
changes in thinking, behavior, and decision making in relation to the new information. An

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Information/Reformation cycle is developed for the latter, missing the Transformation (Romans 12:1-3)
aspect of the Eastern-developed Christianity!!
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices,
holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. [2] Do not conform any longer to the
pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test
and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will.
[3] For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you
ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God
has given you.

Noticed Romans 12:2 says “be transformed”, not “transform yourselves” or “transform your minds”. We
do our part in acquiring God-pleasing wisdom and making the Holy Spirit urged changes with excited
anticipation of supernatural transformation-- restoration our nature to more of Creation created human
nature. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. [24] Those who
belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. [25] Since we live
by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Holy Spirit. [26] Let us not become conceited, provoking and
envying each other.
Colossians 2:6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, [7] rooted
and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which
depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. [9 ] For in
Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, [10] and you have been given fullness in Christ,
Who is the head over every power and authority.

Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where
Christ is seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
[3] For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is your life,
appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality,
impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. [6] Because of these, the wrath of God is
coming. [7] You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. [8] But now you must rid
yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
[9] Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices [10] and have put
on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive
whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And
over all these virtues, put on unselfish love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were
called to peace. And be thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and
admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with
gratitude in your hearts to God. [17] And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. [19] Husbands, love your
wives and do not be harsh with them. [20] Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases
the Lord. [21] Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. [22] Slaves,
obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their
favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. [23] Whatever you do, work at it with all
your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, [24] since you know that you will receive an

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inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. [25] Anyone who does
wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. . [6] Let your conversation
be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be
evident to all. The Lord is near. [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about
such things.

That is enough for true revival in any Christian. It was for me and will be for the rest of my life!!