Addendum

The Old Man and the Old Nature
Although intimately related, the Scriptures distinguish a real difference between the old man and the old nature. “Our old man” is referred to just three times and in the past tense, as having been dealt with once for all on the cross when Christ was made sin for us, who by nature were the children of wrath even as others. Quoting from the most faithful translation of J.N.D.: “Our old man has been crucified with Him” (Rom. 6:66Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6)); “Your having put off ... the old man” (Eph. 4:2222That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (Ephesians 4:22)); “Having put off the old man” (Col. 3:99Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; (Colossians 3:9)). There are other passages which also refer to it, such as Col. 2:11,11In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: (Colossians 2:11) “Ye have been circumcised with circumcision not done by hand ... in the circumcision of the Christ”; He was “made sin for us” (2 Cor. 5:2121For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)). The Israelites were circumcised but once after they crossed the river Jordan, at Gilgal. What about our old nature? It remains in us unchanged as long as we are here. Therefore we need constantly to return to Gilgal, as it were, to be in the very presence of God in earnest self-searching prayer and deep self-judgment, realizing our absolute need of strength in the Lord and the power of His might (Eph. 6:1010Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (Ephesians 6:10)) and that we might have “no confidence in the flesh” (Phil. 3:33For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Philippians 3:3) and Col. 3:55Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: (Colossians 3:5)), as “the flesh profiteth nothing” (John 6:6363It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63)). Thus the Christian has two distinct natures, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:66That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:6)). So they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Rom. 8:88So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:8)). The allowance of either nature disallows the other (Gal. 5:16-1716This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For 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. (Galatians 5:16‑17)). Notice, the new nature is entirely dependent upon the power of the Holy Spirit.