This diagram consists of two circles. The left circle represents the elements of human nature shared by all people. The overlapping section of the two circles signifies aspects of religious life or moral and ethical living. The right circle pertains to the attributes of the spiritual nature of those who have been born again through the Holy Spirit.
This diagram illustrates how people seek to brighten society by learning morality and ethics and practicing religious life. As a result, they are able to restrain the desires of the flesh to some extent. However, the fleshly nature represented on the left inevitably manifests itself in secret unless the work of the Holy Spirit is present. This is why the world remains in darkness.
This diagram depicts a person who recognizes their sinful nature, believes in the grace of atonement through the cross of Jesus Christ, and is born again by the Holy Spirit. It also portrays the awareness that the sinful nature of the flesh still remains and demonstrates a life of continually relying on the Holy Spirit, overcoming sin by following His guidance.
This diagram illustrates that a form of godliness without power is no different from an empty shell of religion. 2 Timothy 3:5 states, “Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” Therefore, it becomes clear that having the appearance of godliness does not necessarily mean that one is truly born again by the Holy Spirit.
As stated in Matthew 15:8-9, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me,” attending Sunday worship, praying, and singing hymns are not necessarily evidence of being born again. This is because it is entirely possible to possess the appearance of godliness without having God in one’s heart. Such individuals often prefer philosophy and human commandments, desiring to hear and teach such doctrines. As a result, their worship of God becomes in vain.
This diagram illustrates the truth found in 2 Timothy 3:7: “Always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” It shows that studying the Bible without being born again by the Holy Spirit cannot ultimately bring transformation or renewal. Studying the Bible alone does not lead to being born again. Without being born again by the Holy Spirit, biblical knowledge can lead to pride, fail to give life to others, and result in using the law to condemn others in an attempt to appear righteous.
This diagram shows that even those who are not born again by the Holy Spirit can be dedicated to church growth. However, such dedication often stems from a desire to establish their own righteousness. This is evidenced by the words in Romans 10:2-3: “I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they, being ignorant of the righteousness of God and seeking to establish their own, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.”
This diagram illustrates that receiving spiritual gifts does not necessarily mean one is born again. This is evident from Matthew 7:22-23, where Jesus says, “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
This diagram shows that receiving baptism does not automatically mean being born again by the Holy Spirit. This is evident from 1 Corinthians 10:1-5, which mentions that the Israelites were baptized as they passed through the Red Sea. However, those whose hearts were not with God, despite experiencing His grace, ultimately did not enter the Promised Land and died in the wilderness.
This diagram demonstrates that holding a position in the church does not necessarily mean one is born again. Matthew 7:15 warns, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” Despite the fact that loving the world makes one an enemy of God, if a minister fails to break free from the desires of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, their position alone is not evidence of being born again by the Holy Spirit.
This diagram illustrates that even if the outward appearance of godliness seems admirable to others, loving the world makes one an enemy of God, living as an enemy of the cross. James 4:4 says, “You adulterous people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” Similarly, 1 John 2:16 states, “For everything in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” Philippians 3:18 adds, “For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.”
This diagram shows that for those who are born again by the Holy Spirit, the power of godliness is evidenced through its outward form. Additionally, all the elements within the right circle represent the power of godliness.
This diagram shows that those who are born again by the Holy Spirit boast in the cross through their godly appearance as a testimony of the grace that saved them from sin and death. Galatians 6:14 says, “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
This diagram shows that those who are born again by the Holy Spirit follow the Lord by covering others’ sins and faults, which is reflected in their godly behavior. 1 Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
This diagram shows that those who are born again by the Holy Spirit live a life of forgiveness, just as the Lord forgave them, and this is demonstrated through their godly behavior. Mark 11:25 says, “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
This diagram shows that those who are born again by the Holy Spirit do not pursue godliness to establish their own righteousness, but rather to achieve God’s righteousness. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
This diagram shows that those who are born again by the Holy Spirit demonstrate holy conduct through their godly behavior, just as the Lord is holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 says, “But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'”
This diagram illustrates that those who are born again by the Holy Spirit live as lights that illuminate the world through their godly actions. Philippians 2:15 says, “that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”
This diagram illustrates that those who are born again by the Holy Spirit demonstrate gratitude in all circumstances through their godly actions. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
This diagram illustrates that those who are born again by the Holy Spirit live according to the truth without deceit or hypocrisy. 3 John 1:3-4 says, “It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
This diagram illustrates that those who are born again by the Holy Spirit always demonstrate unity in their homes and churches because they are one body in the Lord. John 17:22-23 says, “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
This diagram illustrates that those who are born again by the Holy Spirit bear the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.