What does God reckon about the old sin nature of believers?
God reckons the old sin nature of believers as dead. Because the old Adam is dead, the believer's former sin nature is counted dead, and the new life is hidden in God and in Christ. This position is safe and secure, untouched by the wickedness around them.
Les teaches that the old Adam is dead, and God reckons that old sin nature of you and I as believers as dead. The life that we now have is hid in God and in Christ. This is the threefold position of the believer: we are in Christ and in God, and nothing can touch us in that glorious, safe, secure position. Les uses the analogy of the old black walnut: you knock off the outer shell, crack the next shell, and find the delicious meat in the middle. He also points to Old Testament pictures: the Jews on Passover night were safe because the blood was on the door, and Noah and his family were safe in the ark because it was lined with pitch, which in the Hebrew meant atonement. Likewise, you and I in the midst of all the wickedness on earth tonight are in Christ and are safe, with nothing to worry about. Paul says, don't worry about he who can destroy the body when he can't destroy the soul.