An Epiphany Is A Wonderful Thing

EPIPHANY, e-pif'a-ni, An appearance, or becoming manifest: specifically, a Christian festival celebrated on the sixth day of January in commemoration of the manifestation of our Savior's birth to the wise men of the east (Webster's Dictionary, 1950).

An epiphany is a wonderful thing.

I wish I could have an epiphany, because it seems like every time I turn around, someone rises up in Christianity with a new "epiphany" guaranteed to change your life.

It started several years ago with Blackaby's "Experiencing God" craze.  Henry Blackaby, in a epiphany of epic proportions, figured out how that we as Christians could climb Mount Sinai with Moses and have a daily "chat" with God. This epiphany spawned around 84 separate titles (according to Amazon.com), which are sold (not given away, which is what God did with the Law and Grace) for prices ranging from $8.99 to $25.00 per volume. Before my email box is flooded with thousands of protests from Blackaby followers, let me emphasize that this article is not posted to attack him nor his books. Personally, I have no problem with the "Experiencing God" craze - but there are certain elements of it which do not seem to be strictly kosher - and actually seem to be a twisting of the Scriptures. But I digress. This article isn't about "Experiencing God". If you want to read a thourough review of this book, I suggest you consider the studies at "Stand To Reason". (If you click any link in this current study, it will always open a new window on your browser)

The next epiphany of note was "The Prayer of Jabez", by David Wilkerson. This book, a mere 125 pages, teaches a simple prayer that will dramatically change your life. Based on my research through Amazon.com, there are 15 books all spawned from this little epiphany ... all ranging from $7.99 to $22.95 per item. Again, I have read this book and, though the material in it seems quite simplistic, I have no real argument with it - I even prayed the formula prayer outlined in the book for several weeks, but received no great revelation from God. I can say I believe the sales costs for the book seem a bit astronomical.  You can nearly put the original book in your pocket, so it's no huge tome by any means, and even $7.99 seems a bit much for a 8.5 x 5.5 inch book. Again, I have to ask this: if one were to have an epiphany from God, and had a great truth to share to benefit all Christianity, wouldn't God provide the needed funds so you could give the article out? After all, He owns a thousand cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10) - why fleece the flock? The workman is worthy of his hire, but THAT much?

But now, here's a new epiphany within Christianity. This new epiphany promises to bring us all back in line with the full truth of Scripture, to save us from legalism and enlighten our minds with God's good Grace. The book spawned a "new industry" in Christian publishing, brought fame to its author, and though not as exorbitantly priced as the other two epiphanies I've mentioned, it still costs around $10.00 per "blessing". This book is called "Grace Walk", by Dr. Steve McVey.

Grace Walk, the first in a series of books by McVey (the others - Grace Land and Grace Rules, with more to come, I assume), details how the author was living a life of mediocrity and failure within his Christian walk. McVey says:

"No matter how hard I tried, I never experienced real peace about my Christian life. If I read five chapters of the Bible, I felt that I should have read ten. If I led one person to Christ, I thought it should have been two." (pg 17)

McVey had fallen into the trap of Legalism, a belief system that teaches that there are certain things you must ritually do in order to remain saved. Legalism focuses more on the RITUAL than the RELATIONSHIP TO CHRIST, and because of that is extremely works oriented. Being a legalist, McVey kept trying, within his own power, to live up to the standards of our holy and perfect Creator. Because he could not reach this pinnacle of success (and who can? The Jews tried for thousands of years, but still failed to keep the Law of God perfectly) he fell into self-condemnation and defeatism. In the midst of this struggle and defeat he, one day, had an epiphany (there's that word again)! He discovered that Christianity was not rules, rituals, and routines, but a relationship IN Christ WITH Christ.

Up to this point, McVey is certainly correct .... and believe me, I know where he's coming from. I was saved in a small Church group called "The Church of God of Prophecy", and if there were ever a group of legalistic, law abiding Christians, this was it. Shortly after salvation I was given the Church "Manual of Regulations", which was designed to list all of the Biblical regulations that I, as a person of the New Covenant, MUST keep in order to retain my status of salvation and fellowship with God. And obey these regulations I did! Just like the Apostle Paul, I can say:

For I lived, breathed, and DID those things outlined in the Church Manual. Yet, there was never any true happiness in Jesus. McVey followed after the same pattern and, like myself, found the Legalistic way of life wanting. Yet when McVey came out from under the yoke of the Law, he swung in the opposite direction - perhaps a bit TOO FAR - to the point where he enters Gnosticism.

Before I go any further, perhaps we'd best have a little "history lesson" on false views of spirituality, and how they have influenced and infected the Church over the years.

There are three views of the Spiritual walk that have been predominant in Christianity from the beginning. Though all three views have been around from the time our Lord walked this earth as Christ, only ONE of these views are Scriptural - the other two are heresies that SOUND good, but have no validity as Biblical truth.

The first aberrant view that entered Christianity was Legalism (and this view was thoroughly combated by Paul in the Book of Galatians). Legalism teaches that there are certain things you MUST do in order to RETAIN your salvation in Christ. In the early Church Legalists were most often those who had come into Christianity from Judaism. These well meaning Jews transposed the rituals and tenants of the Law into this Blood bought way of life we now enjoy. Legalists fail to understand that Jesus Christ fulfilled ALL the requirements of the Mosaic Law on the Cross, and that we, when we believe in Him, are removed from the classroom of the Law and into a new RELATIONSHIP with God through Christ. Legalists emphasized RITUAL over RELATIONSHIP, and equated service to God with being IN Christ. The two are NOT always the same, as our Lord Jesus taught:

Matthew 7:21-23 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

When the ritual comes before the relationship, the Lord never recognizes the ritual as "righteous". There are perhaps many "prophets" on the Christian television networks now that have "prophesied" for God, or "cast out demons", but do not know Jesus. We have a tendency to watch these people at work and become fascinated by the works - but God looks at the inner relationship. Remember always: we can do nothing to earn or deserve our salvation:

Titus 3:5-7 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

We received salvation and became heirs of eternal life in Heaven with our Lord through the sacrifice of Christ (a complete study on God's Grace can be found here). Our works of righteousness, Human Good, (a study outline on Human Good can be found here) can no more earn us a place in Heaven than wishing upon a star could. No, in order to enter Heaven, the Father had to initiate a relationship with us by offering up His Son for the payment of our sins:

Romans 5:8-11 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."

While we were yet SINNERS Christ died FOR us to initiate a relationship WITH us. When we accept Christ as Savior, we are justified by His blood, by His sacrifice - and remain reconciled to God because of His life. Works do not KEEP us SAVED, but the eternal life of Christ KEEPS US SAVED. He ever sits at the right hand of God the Father:

Romans 8:34-39 "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

... making intercession for us. We are "re-born", "new creatures in Christ", Children of God", "sons of God", "in the family of God" - therefore we are no longer under the old Law of ritual without relationship, but are under the New Law of RIGHTEOUSNESS BECAUSE OF OUR RELATIONSHIP with Him. Legalism fails to recognize how the Spirit of God worked to bring us into the familial relationship at the point of salvation.

The second aberrant view that entered Christianity was Gnosticism (pronounced NOS-ti-siss-um),  a view that James has addressed throughout the letter that bears his name. Gnosticism teaches that, since we are saved and born again, we are now FREE FROM the Old Sin Nature. We are free from its urgings, we are free from all things sinful or lawful: Thus all we need to do is "Forget all standards of living and "release yourself to Jesus", for since we are "new creatures" we WILL naturally do those things which are pleasing to God. Though this sounds like a good argument, the entirety of the Book of James declares such a view is incompatible with Biblical Truth. For instance, though Paul taught that we were:

Galatians 2:20-21 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. [21]  I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."

... crucified with Christ, that is, our "old man" or old way of viewing things, the spiritually dead viewpoint that we had, was placed on the Cross with Christ. We are "new creatures" in Christ:

2 Corinthians 5:17  "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

... enabled to live within the spiritual relationship Jesus has brought us to. However, does our status become such that we NO LONGER NEED to be concerned about our behavior, that we NO LONGER NEED to follow after certain Christian disciplines, that we are NO LONGER UNDER ANY STANDARD because we are under Christ? No, that's not what the Scripture teaches. We are repeatedly given commands Scripturally:

2 Timothy 2:15-18 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some."

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 "Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 "Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil."

In fact, it is impossible to read the New Testament and, rightly dividing the Truth, fail to understand that Christians ARE reborn so that they CAN serve God, and since they are so empowered Jesus EXPECTS them to follow the New Testament pattern of righteousness. We grow as believers by following the DISCIPLINES that God has given us THROUGH Christ: prayer, fasting, Bible study, fellowship with one another. Furthermore, the Apostle Paul - a man who certainly understood the Grace of God, and applied it in his life, portrayed his Christian walk after salvation as a race. He told the carnal Corinthians, (who were familiar with the races in the stadium. The Isthmian games, among the most famous of Greece, were celebrated at Corinth)..

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown (see "Doctrine of Crowns"); but we an incorruptible.  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."

.. that the Christian was in a similar situation to the athlete in a marathon. The athlete runs, strives toward the mark or the goal for a prize. We who are Christians, on the other hand, strive toward that mark to obtain an "incorruptible crown", knowing that we certainly don't want to stand before Jesus one day and be a "castaway" (The Greek adokimos [pronounced ad-ok'-ee-mos], meaning "someone disqualified, or rejected from the race - a shame to Jesus).

Matthew Henry states of this verse: "The apostle compares himself to the racers and combatants in the Isthmian games, well known by the Corinthians. But in the Christian race all may run so as to obtain. There is the greatest encouragement, therefore, to persevere with all our strength, in this course. Those who ran in these games were kept to a spare diet. They used themselves to hardships. They practiced the exercises. And those who pursue the interests of their souls, must combat hard with fleshly lusts. The body must not be suffered to rule. The apostle presses this advice on the Corinthians. He sets before himself and them the danger of yielding to fleshly desires, pampering the body, and its lusts and appetites. Holy fear of himself was needed to keep an apostle faithful: how much more is it needful for our preservation! Let us learn from hence humility and caution, and to watch against dangers which surround us while in the body."

Paul also used the same illustration in:

Philippians 3:13-21 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect (teleios  [pronounced tel'-i-os], means "complete" or "mature in Christ"), be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."

Paul makes it clear that HE strives toward the goal, the mark, just as the marathon athlete does. Salvation was not given to him, nor to any believer, so we could just "give up" and sit on the sideline. As Paul ran, he asked us to "be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample". Though this may sound arrogant, it was not. Paul followed after Jesus closely, and since he had learned to run the race following Jesus, he asked all others to follow his example. To walk, not in sin (as the Gnostics emphasized), nor in carelessness (as the Gnostics emphasized), but to RUN the race concentrating on the Leader of the pack. Not to run the race concentrating on the Old Mosaic Law (which we are now dead to), but focused on the Law of the Spirit and the revealed truths of the New Testament.

The problem I have with McVey's theology is NOT that it rejects Legalism. I, too, am no longer under the Mosaic Law, but am under the leading of the Spirit AND the Word. I also believe that it is a dangerous thing to set apart a system of Laws to live by, rather than focusing on the relationship that we have with Jesus through the precious Word of God. The problem that I have with McVey's theology is that it seems to go TOO FAR IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION from Legalism, and actually seems to enter the realm of Gnosticism. If it does - and it leaves me with that impression - then McVeyism is just another word for Gnosticism, and just as wrong as the original concept. Gnosticism, for instance, makes some fantastic claims without regarding the complete counsel of God's Word. McVey says:

"You may not feel that your sin nature is dead, but God says that it is. This in no way means that you will live a life of sinless perfection. It does mean that it is not your nature to live a life of habitual sin anymore. The conflict between flesh and spirit will exist as long as you are in this world. However, saints gave the freedom to choose to sin or not to sin. By the life of Christ the new you has the desire to resist sin and the power to live victoriously." (Grace Walk, pg 63)

Now wait a minute - is the Old Sin Nature dead, DEAD, or isn't it? I have a problem with unexplained d^do^ou^ub^bl^le^{e -} s^sp^pe^ea^ak^k. The Bible does say:

Romans 6:6-11 "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  For he that is dead (Greek apothnesko  [ap-oth-nace'-ko], is killed) is freed from sin.  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

But did Paul mean that the Old Sin Nature was dead, as in ERADICATED from our lives, or did he mean that its POWER is  dead, that is, it no longer OVERWHELMINGLY CONTROLS US. I believe that the Scripture teaches that the latter, not the former is true. Here's a common sense illustration. My grandfather (who is in Christ) passed away several years ago. I remember staying at his house as a young boy. Grandpa kept a bunch of old tools in the trunk of his old "Rambler" car for me and my brother to use. In fact, we'd look forward to going to grandpa's, because we knew as soon as we saw him he would go out to the car and get out "our" tools so we could play. I miss grandpa. He died when I was a young man, and, when I went to his house after his death, he no longer brought me those tools. He no longer talks with me. In fact, I and grandpa are separated from one another by that wall of death - but we won't be forever separated.

Now, I said all this to qualify what McVey teaches, which is about half true and half false. McVey says that "the sin nature is dead" BUT "the conflict between flesh and Spirit will exist as long as you are in this world". Sorry, that just doesn't compute! The sin nature was indeed "killed" by the Spirit of God at the point of our salvation, HOWEVER, by "killed" or "dead" the Apostle never meant that that nature was ERADICATED or erased from existence in us. If the Sin Nature truly died then we WOULD NOT SIN. Just as I no longer talk to grandpa, if the Old Sin Nature was dead as grandpa is dead, then I would NO LONGER BE ABLE to talk to it or walk in it. It wouldn't be a matter of choice, don't you see? In fact, when we get to Heaven we WILL NOT SIN because the Sin Nature will be entirely removed from our eternal bodies (1 Corinthians 15.42-55). To say that the "Sin Nature is Dead" on the one hand and then, within the next breath, to say as McVey says "This in no way means that you will live a life of sinless perfection" is an aberration of Scripture. What does the Scripture, rightly divided, teach?

Paul used the terms "Sin" and "Flesh" interchangeably. He contrasted the works of the "Flesh", the Old Sin Nature, with the Works of the Spirit in:

Galatians 5:16-26 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another."

The works of the Flesh, that is, of our Old Sin Nature, are clearly works that are AGAINST THE RIGHTEOUSNESS of God as reflected in His Law. Look at the list: witchcraft, adultery, murder, uncontrolled anger, etc. We are "crucified with Christ" and, because of that, dead to the OVERWHELMING POWER of the Old Sin Nature, the Flesh, but we are NOT "one natured" as Jesus was, possessing ONLY the righteousness of God. No, we are freed from its OVERWHELMING call to sin, to follow after the flesh, and because of that freed from the Law and united to God through Christ in a permanent familial relationship - BUT we are not told, as McVey would have you believe, that we can just "forget all the Christian disciplines - Jesus will MAKE you live righteously quite naturally". No, the flesh is still there, the Old Sin Nature is still there, but it no longer reigns as KING in your life - it was nailed to the Cross so the resurrected One could live THROUGH you. In fact, the Scripture is VERY clear that we have, can, and do operate within the power of our Old Sin Nature when we get our eyes off of Christ and His Word.

What is the NORMAL CHRISTIAN LIFE? First of all, it is a life that focuses neither on the Mosaic Law and it's rituals, nor does it ignore the Christian disciplines as Gnosticism does. The normal Christian life, as shown in the Scriptures, teaches that the OLD MAN, the Old Sin Nature AS LORD OF YOUR LIFE, was nailed to the Cross at the point of your salvation. You were given Spiritual Life, and now have the ability to look at the world and the things in it WITH SPIRITUAL EYES:

1 Corinthians 2:15-16 "But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."

Each and every believer in Jesus starts his or her walk in Christ at the EXACT same potential. We all, who are in Jesus, received the same benefits of Salvation (see this). We have, we HAVE the mind of Christ, we KNOW His will through His Word - but listen, this is just POTENTIAL. Most people read these verses that I just quoted, but ignore the following CONTEXT, which states:

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal (sarkikos [pronounced sar-kee-kos'], fleshly, in the flesh, obeying the Old Sin Nature), even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?"

Paul, after making His statement on Spirituality, quickly rebuked the Corinthians by noting that they WERE NOT living up to their potential. Though they were freed from overwhelming power of the Old Sin Nature (the Flesh) by New Birth in Jesus, they were NOT SPIRITUAL. No, they were yet "carnal", the Greek sarkikos [pronounced sar-kee-kos'], IN THE FLESH, obeying and following after that Old Sin Nature that they were freed from. Paul uses the same Greek root, [sarx], in Galatians 5.16-26, where he describes the works of the flesh (the Old Sin Nature) as counterproductive to the Spirit filled life. Christians are not only trichotomous (three parts - see 1 Thessalonians 5.23), possessing body, soul, and human spirit, but they are, though still possessed of an Old Sin Nature, enabled to OVERCOME that nature by the power of God, which is BOTH the Holy Spirit and His precious Word. We have the POTENTIAL, we have the RESOURCES, therefore God DEMANDS WE feed ourselves from His Word and strive, with Him, toward that potential:

1 John 2:4-6 "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his COMMANDMENTS, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."

God has given us the power, both the Word and the Spirit, and He has enabled us, through these resources, to counter the lure of the Old Sin Nature within us. It no longer has an OVERWHELMING power over us.

We keep God's Word, and seek after His Will through His Word, because we have a relationship of Love with Him. We actively seek to LIVE WITHIN THE POTENTIAL we have been given, following the two great truths, "Love God, Love one Another", as Jesus taught us. We are saved so that we can, not become partners with Gnosticism nor Legalism, but PARTNERS with God:

Ephesians 5:6-18 "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers (summetochos [pronounced soom-met'-okh-os], partners with ) with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit"

We partner, NOT with the world, NOT with Legalism, NOT with Gnosticism, BUT WITH God. We "Prove that which is acceptable unto the Lord" by studying and rightly dividing His Word (2 Timothy 2.15-16), SHUNNING the empty babbling of religiously rich but relationship poor professors. We, as new Creatures, rely on the filling of the Spirit and the Word of God so that we can GROW IN GRACE and in THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD JESUS.

2 Peter 3:15-18 "And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."

As we "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" we learn to shun false doctrine as we weigh their claims against the larger body of Scripture. We also learn, as we grow in Grace, to resist the flesh and yield to the Spirit and the Word of God. It is obvious, Scripturally, that Jesus expected those who knew Him as Savior to produce righteous fruit for His Kingdom - and that He said we were to determine whether someone was in Him or not by the fruit they produced. A dog will bark, a pig will oink, a duck will quack, and a Christian - fully devoted to Jesus - will produce good fruit for the Kingdom.

Matthew 7:16-20   Ye shall KNOW them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

Again, though there are truths in Grace Walk, and though I understand how utterly refreshing it is to come out from under Legalism, Grace Walk seems to take liberties with God's Word in order to drive home its "Let Go and Let God" theology. For instance, McVey states:

"I experienced peace only after I learned to focus on the person of Christ, instead of on what I should be doing for Him." (page 31)

I have no problem with that statement. But how do we come to an understanding of Jesus? How do we know Who Jesus was, WHAT He wants, HOW He wants us to live? Through study of God's Word, of course!

McVey states:

"It may sound strange, but I really began to enjoy the Bible when I realized that I DIDN'T HAVE TO READ IT. From how much of the Law has the Christian been set free? All of it! Is there a law that requires that we read the Bible a certain amount of time each day? No! Then why read it? Because we have a desire to fellowship with God in His Word ..." (page 83)

Again, this is about half right. Certainly, to study the Word without, at the same time, having a relationship with Jesus, is utterly fruitless. The Scripture does teach:

1 Corinthians 2:14  "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

The natural, or psuchikos [pronounced psoo-khee-kos'], the SOULISH person, the person who has not been saved, "born again", cannot understand Biblical truth. So if you have absolutely no relationship with Jesus via salvation by faith, then the Bible is just another book to you. But if you are a Christian you are COMMANDED:

2 Timothy 2:15-16 "STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness."

We are given several COMMANDS, several things we are told to do in this verse:

STUDY: Greek spoudazo [pronounced spoo-dad'-zo], diligently labor over. This is a First Aorist Active IMPERATIVE, meaning that it IS a command.

TO SHEW:  Greek paristemi [pronounced par-is'-tay-mee], First Aorist Active Infinitive, "to present yourself, so you can present yourself".

APPROVED: Greek dokimos [pronounced, dok'-ee-mos], the same word is used in:

2 Corinthians 10:17-18 "But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is APPROVED (dokimos), but whom the Lord commendeth."

And the word means "to be acceptable". We labor in the Word for the Lord for His approval, not for the approval of man. We labor for the Kingdom because this is what the Lord, in relationship to us, wants us to do. We study the Word because we love Jesus and Jesus is in us. We study the Word because He, Whom we love, has commanded us to do so. Whether I particularly "feel like" studying or not has no effect on the command, regardless as to what McVey teaches.

McVey states:

"You have probably heard all your life that God won't put any burden on you greater than you can bear. Don't mark me off as a heretic just yet, but I don't believe it. I believe that God WILL PUT HEAVIER BURDENS ON YOU THAN YOU CAN BEAR, especially when He is trying to bring you to a place of brokenness. God will allow the burden to be greater than you can bear so that you will finally allow Him to bear it for you." (pages 31-32)

Any time a false doctrine arises, it is often necessary to twist the Scripture in order to follow it's theology. Since McVey teaches that the Christian walk is NOT a partnership with God, that we are NOT workers TOGETHER with Him:

2 Corinthians 6:1 "We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain."

we might as well strike through that portion of Scripture. Since McVey holds this to be true it is necessary for his theology that God overwhelm you with burdens so as to break you. Then and only then will God "get you where He wants you" so you'll "let go and let God" and be used of Him. The only problem is, this is blatantly contrary to Scripture:

1 Corinthians 10:13  "There hath no temptation (peirasmos [pronounced pi-ras-mos'], trial, proving) taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that YE MAY BE ABLE TO BEAR IT."

In order to follow McVey's theology, I have to strike through most of the words in our Corinthians text. But if I do, I have to maim quite a few other translations other than the King James Version.

Montgomery's translation says "No temptation has overtaken you that is beyond man's power; but God is faithful, who will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but will, with every temptation, provide the way of escape also, so that you may be able to withstand".

Webster's states, "No temptation has taken you but such as man can bear. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it".

The Basic Bible In English translation says, "You have been put to no test but such as is common to man: and God is true, who will not let any test come on you which you are not able to undergo; but he will make with the test a way out of it, so that you may be able to go through it".

In fact, of every translation I reviewed, the Scripture clearly states that God never, NEVER puts a heavier burden on you than you can bear. God allows trials to come on us to strengthen us, this is true:

James 1:3-4 "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

1 Peter 1:5-7 "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ"

But the trials are NOT designed to break you, but are designed to strengthen your faith and enhance your focus upon both the Living and the Written Word. When God took Israel through the Water Tests (see this), at each point in their testing they failed, but God never "broke" them. They failed at the Red Sea, yet God still delivered. They failed at Marah, yet God still gave them sweet water. They failed at Rephidem, yet God still provided water. As a matter of fact, Israel failed so many times that God ultimately disciplined them by REFUSING TO ALLOW THEM to enter the Promised Land. He, in effect, killed the first generation of Israel via the Sin unto Death because they WOULD NOT trust Him. At no point, however, did God "break" Israel through testing. This theology just doesn't fit the Scripture!

McVey states:

"It isn't uncommon for Christians to think that God has a long list of things He wants His children to do. But in 1 Thessalonians 5:24 we read, "He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it". Not only does Christ call us to the Christian life, but He will also live it for us. After all, who else could live the Christ-life except Christ?" (page 35)

Again, this is about half-right. McVey quotes the following verse:

1 Thessalonians 5:24  "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it"

... and then goes on to equate that verse with the Gnostic idea that "You need to do nothing, for Christ will naturally do everything through you". Yet within the IMMEDIATE context of this verse (if we read the context - and we will) we read this:

1 Thessalonians 5:14-24 "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice ever more. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.  And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it."

WOW, the verse that McVey quoted looks quite a bit different when viewed in the light of the Biblical context. What was the Apostle saying when he said, "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it"? Was he saying that the Lord would naturally live the Christian life for you? NO. He was saying that the Lord would be faithful to answer his prayer, that:

" ... I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ".

That the Lord would PRESERVE the believer, maintain him or her in that state of Salvation wherein we have been called. Clarke's Commentary states, "Faithful is he that calleth you: In a great variety of places in his Word God has promised to sanctify His followers, and His faithfulness binds Him to fulfill His promises; therefore He will do it.  He who can believe will find this thing also possible to him." Jesus will keep working with us in Sanctification - after all, He initially set us apart from the world at the moment of salvation, He entered us on the path of Progressive Sanctification, and will ultimately Glorify us in Heaven. Barne's New Testament Commentary says, "Faithful is He that calleth you. That is, your sanctification, after all, depends on Him, and as He has begun a work of grace in  your hearts, you may depend on His faithfulness to complete it." As Paul told the Philippians:

Philippians 1:6  "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ"

God began the work of salvation in us when we "called on the name of Jesus and were saved", but that work will not be completed until the Day when Jesus returns to change that which is corrupted in us into incorruption (1 Corinthians 15:53-57). On that Day (see "Day of the Lord") Jesus will give us incorruptible bodies, He will completely eradicate the Old Sin Nature out of us, and we will walk with Him in glory in glorified bodies. But PRIOR to this prayer, which McVey takes out of context, the Word of God levies the following commands on the believer:

You see, we are NOT absolved from personal responsibility because we are the workmanship of God. No, the Scripture makes it plain that, while we are the workmanship of God, we also WORK IN GOD, for we are:

Ephesians 2:10  "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

We are, as Christians, are poiema [pronounced poy'-ay-mah], things that are made. We are made by the same hands that created all things, the hands of God our Savior Jesus Christ (John 1:3, 10; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16-17). But He who made us has also predetermined (proetoimazo [pronounced pro-et-oy-mad'-zo], fore ordained, to establish within a plan) that we SHOULD walk in good works, in works that glorify our Lord and Savior. Those who assume that all we need to do is just "lay back in our spiritual hammocks" (quoted from Reverend John White) and Jesus will do the rest have a poor understanding of Biblical Sanctification (see the study here).

McVey makes the following statement:

"You are fully accepted by God. You are accepted because you are in Christ (Ephesians 1.6). Because Christ has received you and He is fully accepted by the Father, you are fully accepted as well! You don't need to change a thing about yourself for God to accept you. Your acceptance isn't based on what you do, but on who you are."

Again, this is about half right, but quickly degrades into false doctrine if the whole counsel of Scripture is ignored. You are indeed saved by the Blood of Christ, and your eternal home is secure as long as you have been "born again" (see Doctrine of Eternal Security). You will, indeed, go to Heaven based on your faith in Christ. The thief who accepted Christ as Savior had done neither good works nor had he been baptized:

Luke 23:42-43 "And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise."

and yet he still went to be with Jesus in paradise. You see, salvation by faith in Christ brings each of us INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD, and as family, the Lord will indeed take us to Heaven (see "How Secure Is Your Salvation"). However, just as our earthly parents punished us when we moved OUTSIDE of their directive will, God punishes each and every believer who decides to wander off into apostasy and false doctrine. God has given us certain mechanics for Spiritual growth (see this), and wants us to use those resources. When we refuse to grow as He leads, when we wander off into the wilderness of Sin, which is unnatural for the believer, then God our Father DISCIPLINES us (see this, and this). God disciplines the believer out of fellowship to return them to their natural state, a state of service and glory to God. If the believer, laying in that spiritual hammock, remains in the world, the discipline can and does increase to the point where GOD WILL TAKE YOUR LIFE. This is not legalism speaking, but God's Word. He has saved us, paid for us on the Cross, and now EXPECTS US to obey His Word, as beloved children should do. The Scripture is replete with examples of this:

1 Corinthians 11:29-31 "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged."

The Corinthian believers, carnal nearly to the man, were literally having a PARTY at the Lord's Table. They were making a mockery of what that Table represented, and because they wandered off into this Desert of Sin, God was causing many to be "sickly among you, and many sleep". Paul admonished the Corinthians, "if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged", or "if you'd consider what you do before you act, God would not be placing you under the Sin unto Death". When Ananias and Sapphira lied to God the Holy Spirit (Acts 5.1-10) they died the sin unto death nearly immediately. The young man who was in adultery with his stepmother, Paul turned him "over the Satan for the destruction of the flesh" (1 Corinthians 5.1-5). This was not the only time the Apostle delivered the apostate believer to Satan...

1 Timothy 1:19-20 "Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme."

... so that they might learn that our Father, loving as He is, is also righteous, and holy ... and expects us to live as we are so empowered by His Word and His Spirit. Are we obligated to strive for Christ? Read these verses, and tell me what you think:

2 Corinthians 6:15-7:1 "And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for YE ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Wherefore COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM, AND BE YE SEPARATE, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,  And will be a FATHER unto you, and ye SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us CLEANSE OURSELVES FROM ALL FILTHINESS OF THE FLESH AND SPIRIT, PERFECTING HOLINESS IN THE FEAR OF GOD."

Does that sound like we have no responsibility, other than to "just let go and let God"? No, no, a thousand times, no! God dwells in us, and we are to dwell in Him. God separates us, and we are to remain separate in Him. We are to, in the power of the Spirit and through that precious revealed Word of God, CLEANSE OURSELVES FROM ALL FILTHINESS OF THE FLESH AND SPIRIT, PERFECTING HOLINESS IN THE FEAR OF GOD. This is progressive sanctification, and we are called to walk with God in it.

Ephesians 4:24-25 "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another."

Now that the "old man" is dead, our old state of helpless obedience to the Old Sin Nature, we are now to "put on the new man". Live up to the potential that God has given you,. believer. Get out of that McChristian attitude of "all I need to do is step up to God's take out window and order what I want - He'll drop it on my tray automatically". I hate to tell you, but only in America where believers have succumbed to a laziness of spirit could anyone get away with teaching a "lay back and God will do it all" theology. In other countries Christians are being tortured, beaten, horribly mutilated for their faith. In fact, the Church of Christ was built on the foundation of Jesus, and on the bodies of its martyrs. We do not work our way to Heaven, no! But we are called to be workers together with the Father, empowered by the Word and His Spirit. You are personally responsible to God to serve Him now that you are empowered to do so.

1 Thessalonians 4:4-7 "That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness."

We are saved so we can walk as the saved walk. We are not called to follow after uncleanness, but HOLINESS, separated unto God in our lives. Focused and occupied with Jesus and His Word. Empowered by His Spirit, who leads us into truth.

Hebrews 12:14  "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord"

You WILL NOT have a fulfilling relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord until you, like our Lord did, follow after the standard that He has laid down for us in His Word. I do agree with McVey that,

"It isn't your nature now to live a lifestyle of sin. If this weren't true, you wouldn't experience inner conflict when you sin". (page 55)

That is true - God saved us through Christ, empowered us with His Spirit, and gifted us with His Word. Now that we are given potential and released from the overwhelming power of the Old Sin Nature, we are free to choose. When we make a bad decision, when we willingly choose to follow that Sin Nature still resident within us:

1 John 1:8  "If we say that we have no sin, (notice this is SINGULAR - we have an Old Sin Nature) we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

And yes, that sin nature is still within us, as the Scripture teaches. But if we do sin, God has given us a remedy by which we can return to fellowship:

1 John 1:9-10 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

All we need do is return to Father, just like the Prodigal son, and ask forgiveness. He waits to receive the fallen believer back into the fold. McVey states,

"Grace! Is a Christian free to do whatever he wants to do? Yes. Your Heavenly Father will allow you to go to the far country if you choose. As Paul said, "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful (1 Corinthians 6.12)". (page 127)

This is incorrect, as we've shown before. The Christian is in the Family of God. You can wander out into the far country - you can wander after every false teaching that dribbles down the lane, and chase every dandelion fluff that dances on the breezes of worldliness - but you will be chastened, you will be "beaten with a whip" if you don't return home.

Is "Grace Walk" completely off base? No, it does, indeed, have some valid points - yet it also digresses into heresy on several key points in Christianity. My greatest disagreement with the theology is that it, with one fell swoop, eradicates the Mosaic Law, the Old Sin Nature, and the Christian Disciplines as have been given to us in the New Testament. We are no longer under the Law of Moses - this is true - but McVey forgets that the same One who gave the Mosaic Law also gave us the Law of the Spirit and the Word of God. Because we are removed from the Mosaic Law, that does not imply that we are to ignore the entirety of the Law. For instance, murder is just as wrong now as it was under Moses. That "wrong" was carried forward, from the Mosaic Law and into the New Testament era.

Also, just because the Old Sin Nature's power to drive us into sin is removed, there is no Scriptural nor logical proof that this nature has been eradicated. If this were so, we WOULD NOT SIN, and we would be in our glorified states. Furthermore the curses that God levied on man in the Garden would be removed - the curse of pain in childbearing for the woman (Genesis 3:16), and the curse of hard labor for the man (Genesis 3:17-19). These curses still stand, the Sin Nature still indwells our flesh, and though we are spiritually alive because of Christ we will, if Christ tarries, one day meet our physical deaths because of that corruption. The curses stand because the Sin Nature remains - but we stand blessed with the blessed hope of eternal and sinless life in the hereafter because of Jesus Christ our Lord.

What would I recommend to you, as believers? Just what the Apostle suggested:

Ephesians 4:11-25 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another."

I suggest you seek out God's Will for your life by stopping running around and chasing after every "new" thing that pops up. Find yourself a pastor-teacher who teaches the Word of God, rightly divided. Study that Word yourself, and reject outright any human viewpoint doctrines that are contrary to the teaching of that Word. Refuse to be fleeced with the rest of the bleating sheep. Quit following the crowd, which may or may not be saved, which may or may not be Scriptural, and use those resources that God has provided you: a family relationship through Jesus, empowerment through the Spirit, knowledge of God through His written and revealed Word. Approach His Word, not as a mystic, but as a Child, a Child of God - and be willing to be taught by Him. Put on the New Man by faith, and resist the leading of that old man, the Old Sin Nature. When you fall, and you will, RECOGNIZE the fall for what it is, REPENT of what you have fallen into, RECOVER back into the Christian way of life as revealed in the Scriptures, and RELY on God in Christ to RESTORE you to where you were. You do not need to follow after the Legalistic method of beating yourself up for your sins, for Father knows our limitations - but you do need to walk honestly with Him and with your fellow believers in love. Father never beats us when we walk honestly with Him - only when we seek to justify our behavior, when we lie to Him, when we try to cover up our sins like Adam did in the Garden. There's no percentage in that!

And for goodness sake, put your wallets up! Those who love you in Jesus, and who care for your spiritual welfare do not put a price on their services. Though I have never met you, I do love you and want you to:

"... grow in grace, AND IN THE KNOWLEDGE of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..." (2 Peter 3:18)

God Bless and keep you as you follow after the pattern our Lord established for us in the Scripture.
 

Psalms 50:10-12  "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.  I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.   If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof."

1 Corinthians 8:6  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Colossians 1:16-17 "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."

Acts 5:1-10  "But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband."

1 Corinthians 5:1-5 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."

Elements of the Curse:

1. Woman would "in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children" - pain in child bearing.
2. Man would toil under the curse, suffering in labor "cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;  Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee".
3. Both man and woman would physically die - the life span would be shortened on earth. "for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return".

As all three elements of the Adamic Curse are still in effect today throughout all humankind, we can say for a certainty that, truthfully, we are still possessed of an Old Sin Nature. If we were not, these elements would be eradicated along with the Sin Nature.