Old Adam, put in a better dress

(Thomas Watson, "A New Creature")

(Be sure to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

John 3:3, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

Natural honesty, moral virtue, prudence, loyalty, liberality, temperance--these are not the new birth. These make a splendid show in the eye of the world--but they differ as much from the new birth, as a stick differs from a star! Morality indeed is commendable, and it would be well if there were more of it. Yet morality is but human nature at its best; it does not amount to saving grace. There is nothing of the Gospel, in mere morality. That fruit is sour--which does not grow on the root of Jesus!

Heat water to the highest degree--and you still cannot make wine out of it; it is water still. Just so, let morality be raised to the highest--it is human nature still. It is but old Adam, put in a better dress.

Moral virtue may exist with the hatred of godliness.
A moral man hates holiness--as much as he does vice!

"You must be born again." John 3:7