Romans 11:24a For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree:

What is the nature of man? Actually it is no different than anything else in nature. All living things, animal and flora strive for the survival of the species, to take seed, grow, consume and scatter its own seed.

Flora spreads until its nature can no longer overcome the nature of the elements within its path. You can see this as trees disappear at an altitude of about 4,400 feet. Flora is only adaptable within its nature. Animals adapt their behavior within limits. Man is the most adaptable and has changed his environment, but not his nature.

The wild nature of man has adapted but still exists. With man, the survival of the fittest has given way to the survival of the most cunning, the most manipulative, the most ruthless. Man’s selfish interests will spread like seeds on the wind, taking root wherever it can. In this man is like flora, something has to stop his selfish aggressive propagation.

Man unlike any other animal has the ability to forsake his wild nature and take upon himself the divine nature. Man’s divine nature is a gift from God by faith in Jesus Christ. While man has access to the divine nature, we don’t always employ it. Sometimes we answer to our base nature.

Romans 7:22-23 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

It is difficult to always be on guard against our nature. It takes time to change. The last of the fruits of the Spirit to manifest itself is self-control. Do not be disheartened if it has not yet blossomed. Do not frustrate yourself in your walk. This happens to us all.

Our expectations of progress is not what God measures. God looks to His faithful Son and His progress in you. We should do the same.

Romans 7:24-25a O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.