But Now . . . ['A Worm to An Eagle']
Chris Cunningham

Rom 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

What two words could more fully express the change wrought in the believer? Many seem reluctant to highlight this change for fear that man will get glory. If we say we are changed and that the change is good, then we are saying, in some sense, that we are good. This is foolish. If I had the power to change a worm into an eagle, would you be impressed with the eagle, or the one who had the supernatural power to make the change occur? God has made a much more dramatic change than this. He turned a rebellious, murderous, God-hating wretch, into a loving, believing, worshipping son of God. A madman into a prince.

Also, it is important to understand that, strictly speaking, we are not changed. Paul said as a believer, “in me, that is in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing (Rom 7:8).” Paul was as evil as ever he was, and so it is with you, believer. The old nature does not change, but considered as entire individuals, there is a change in us, because when God saves us, we are made “partakers of the divine nature (2Peter 1:4).” And, as Paul says in this very chapter, ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you (Rom 7:9).

No wonder Paul said, concerning all that is praiseworthy in himself, 1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

It is not only the supernatural, divine power necessary to effect this change that causes us to praise God for it. It is also the free, sovereign, effectual and marvelous grace of God that must be magnified. Not only do I stand amazed in the presence of Him Who is able to save even me, but I am overwhelmed at the thought that He would want to save such a one! Why love one who hates Him? Why care for one who had no thought for Him? Why bless one who has cursed Him? Why have mercy on one who had nothing but contempt for Him? I now know why! Grace!

This is why we name our church houses after Grace instead of after man’s depraved will. Because apart from His grace, I am a God-hating maggot. I am the one who spit on the Son of God, and then murdered the Prince of Life. You can say, about me, everything bad that has ever been devised to say about a person, and you will have failed to accurately describe what I am in myself. But, now.

So, I am not reluctant to highlight this change wrought in me. I read of it in His word, as here, and I praise Him, by His grace, for His grace, that found me vile and washed me, found me worshipping myself, and brought me to the feet of the Savior, found me with the blood of His Son on my hands, and washed me head to toe in that blood, found me trusting my works, and caused me to believe on the Redeemer, found me haughty and obnoxious, and broke my black heart, and gave me a new one (Ez 36:26).

The old man will glory in the flesh whether there is a new nature present or not. My flesh, your flesh, the flesh of the believer as well as the flesh of the unbeliever, the flesh will always glory in the flesh. Our acknowledgment of and rejoicing in the new nature, or our reluctance to, will not change this, but by the grace of God almighty, those who have this new nature, will praise God for it, both now and forever.