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. 6:6); “Your having put off ... the old man” (Eph. 4:22); “Having put off the old man” (Col. 3:9). There are other passages which also refer to it, such as Col. 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. 5:21). 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. 6:10) and that we might have “no confidence in the flesh” (Phil. 3:3 and Col. 3:5), as “the flesh profiteth nothing” (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 3:6). So they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Rom. 8:8). The allowance of either nature disallows the other (Gal. 5:16-17). Notice, the new nature is entirely dependent upon the power of the Holy Spirit.