He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His
beloved Son (Colossians 1:13).

Perhaps you have heard the illustration of the two dogs. Some people say that we have
two natures within us vying for control of our lives. They claim that our old sin nature,
which we inherited from disobedient Adam, is like a big black dog. Our new nature, which
we inherited through Christ’s redemptive work, is like a big white dog. These two dogs are
bitter enemies, intent on destroying each other. Whenever you involve yourself in worldly
thoughts or behavior, you are feeding the black dog.

Whenever you focus your mind and activities on spiritual things, you are feeding the
white dog. The dog you feed the most will eventually grow stronger and overpower the
other.

This dramatic illustration may motivate Christians toward saintly behavior, but is it
accurate based on who we really are in Christ? Since God "delivered us from the
domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son" (Colossians
1:13), can we still be in both kingdoms? When God declares that we are "not in the
flesh but in the Spirit" (Romans 8:9), can we be in the flesh and in the Spirit
simultaneously? When God says that "you were formerly darkness, but now you are light
in the Lord" (Ephesians 5:8), can you possibly be both light and darkness? When God
states that "if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed
away; behold, new things have come" (2 Corinthians 5:17), can we be partly new
creature and partly old creature?

But be careful. Can a Christian sin? Of course! "If we say that we have no sin, we
are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). But having sin and
being sin are two completely different issues. When we choose to walk by the flesh we will
sin, but, as 1 John 2:1 reminds us, we don’t have to: "My little children, I am
writing these things to you that you may not sin."

We will spend the next few days exploring the scriptural bases for this truth.

How liberating to know today, Lord, that I am in the light, that I am a new creature,
and that my new nature is firmly anchored in Your work of reconciliation.

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This daily devotional is published and distributed by http://www.GOSHEN.net/

It is written by Neil Anderson at http://www.ficm.org/