1. Life in the Flesh and the Nature of Sin
Galatians 5:19-21 (CEV)
“The actions that are selfish and sinful are clear: being sexually unfaithful, not being pure, being indecent, worshiping false gods, doing witchcraft, hating others, causing trouble, being jealous, angry, selfish, creating divisions, arguing, being envious, getting drunk, and behaving in wild and foolish ways. I warn you now, as I have warned you before: people who do these things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Romans 7:18 (CEV)
“I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful self. I want to do what is right, but I am not able to do it.”
Romans 8:6-8 (CEV)
“If your thinking is controlled by your sinful self, it leads to death. But if your thinking is controlled by the Spirit, it leads to life and peace. The sinful self is against God. It does not follow God’s law, and it can’t. Those who live following their sinful selves cannot please God.”
2. The Darkness of the World
John 3:19 (CEV)
“The light has come into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light because what they did was evil.”
3. Eternal Destruction
Matthew 25:46 (CEV)
“Those people will be punished forever, but the righteous will have eternal life.”
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 (CEV)
“God will punish those who do not know him and those who do not obey the Good News about our Lord Jesus. They will be separated from the Lord forever and shut out from his glorious power.”
This study highlights the contrast between life controlled by the flesh and life led by the Spirit, as well as the consequences of sin and the hope of eternal life for the righteous. The Venn diagram illustrates these truths, helping us to reflect on our spiritual journey.
1. Realizing Sin and Believing in Jesus’ Forgiveness
Romans 3:23-24 (CEV)
“All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.”
John 3:16 (CEV)
“God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.”
2. Being Born Again by the Holy Spirit
John 3:5-6 (CEV)
“Jesus answered: I tell you for certain that before you can get into God’s kingdom, you must be born not only by water but by the Spirit. Humans give life to their children. Yet only God’s Spirit can change you into a child of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (CEV)
“Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new.”
3. Recognizing Sinful Nature and Relying on the Holy Spirit
Romans 8:13-14 (CEV)
“If you live by your selfish desires, you will die. But if you use the Spirit to destroy your selfish desires, you will live. Only those people who are led by God’s Spirit are his children.”
Galatians 5:16-17 (CEV)
“If you are guided by the Spirit, you won’t obey your selfish desires. The Spirit and your desires are enemies of each other. They are always fighting each other and keeping you from doing what you feel you should.”
4. Receiving an Incorruptible Resurrected Body
1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (CEV)
“That’s how it will be when our bodies are raised to life. These bodies will die, but the bodies that are raised will never die. They are ugly and weak, but they will be beautiful and strong. As surely as there are physical bodies, there are spiritual bodies. And our physical bodies will be changed into spiritual bodies.”
Philippians 3:20-21 (CEV)
“But we are citizens of heaven and are eagerly waiting for our Savior to come from there. Our Lord Jesus Christ has power over everything, and he will make these poor bodies of ours like his own glorious body.”
5. Living in the New Heaven and New Earth
Revelation 21:1-4 (CEV)
“I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had disappeared, and so had the sea. Then I saw New Jerusalem, that holy city, coming down from God in heaven. It was like a bride dressed in her wedding gown and ready to meet her husband. I heard a loud voice shout from the throne: God’s home is now with his people. He will live with them, and they will be his own. Yes, God will make his home among his people. He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever.”
2 Peter 3:13 (CEV)
“But God has promised us a new heaven and a new earth, where justice will rule. We are really looking forward to this!”
This study explains how we are forgiven and transformed through Jesus, how the Holy Spirit helps us overcome sin, and the promise of eternal life with a new body in the new heaven and earth.