We are born with it.

It begins to be revealed sometime within our first two years. What was a wonderfully cute little being pitches a small fit over not getting its way.

From where does that come?

There was no training…
there was no class we attended.

It’s the Nature that lies within us.

I see it in my grand daughters. They smile and make everyone else do the same as they make noises, do things which amuse us.

Out of the blue they will react with a
frown, or with a thrown down toy, or
some demonstrative act.

Fitzgerald defined it as he described
his most famous female character, Daisy. …
” she wants what she wants when she wants it, and she makes everybody miserable until she gets it.”

The grand daughters are not purposely acting out of sorts.

We are all of that sort .

It’s the Nature within us.

Why does a one year old cry when you shake your head side to side and say no?

Why do some people react to another’s promotion with jealousy?

That nature.

The bed is comfortable, the alarm goes off. What do you do?

If that “nature” rules you, you do not get up. You hit the alarm for more time.

Why do ones eyes go to particular body parts when they meet a person of the opposite gender?

If that ” nature” continually rules you,
It will lead you to harm, imaginations
and eventually, destruction.

Pure discipline can present a person with the tenacity to refuse that existing Nature….temporarily.

But discipline in its purest state can build up the ego so much that the existing Nature manifests itself even greater in pride and arrogance.

Mere discipline is not enough to over rule and overcome that inborn Nature.

There must come into our lives a Nature from another Source.

A higher Nature must come from a higher place. The Apostle said to think on things that ” come down from above”.

The only way we overcome our existent Nature is to receive this other “higher” nature …. earned by Our Advocates Suffering
and presented to us upon His Resurrection.

Remember, even though the Disciples became better men during Christ’s time with them….they did not receive any new strength or evidence of a new and higher Nature …, until after He died, ascended and filled them with His Spirit when the “rushing wind” blew them into their New Nature.

This New Nature allowed them access to do greater things.

It was their decision to daily access that New Nature.

As it is ours.

They were fulfilled and successful in this new Nature…. but were continuously dealing with that older Nature, as well.

As we are.

Everyday, we make decisions as filled and potential Christ- followers … whether or not we succumb to the Nature which makes our eyes wander or whether we allow the new Nature
to lift our hearts, minds, hands and feet to exemplify The Christ Who both possessed it and has gifted it to us.

The old Nature or the New???
We possess both.

Which one will we pursue today?

Terry
February 2016