THE FLOWCHART OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
TWO CHOICES > TWO EXPERIENCES > TWO OUTCOMES
POSITIONAL TRUTH
The moment of faith alone in Christ – justification Romans 4:5; 5:1
“In Christ” – Romans 6:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17
Baptism by the means of the Holy Spirit – Romans 6:3-4
Indwelled by the Holy Spirit – Romans 8:9; John 14:17
Dominion of sin is broken – Romans 6:6
Under (in) grace – Romans 6:14
Slave of righteousness – Romans 6:18
PRACTICAL TRUTH (EXPERIENTIAL)
The potential for advancing in the spiritual life and for experiencing the abundant Christian life is available to every believer. But in order for that potentiality to become reality in our daily life demands that we follow the spiritual life mandates as given in the Scripture.
Potential >Change>Reality
The most important mandate: Ephesians 4:1 – how?
“That you be renewed (made new again) in the spirit of your mind”
Ephesians 4:23
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind”
Romans 12:2
Know this:
Minute by minute there is real choice – Romans 6:13
THERE ARE:
TWO CHOICES (TWO “PRESENTS)
TWO EXPERIENCES IN THIS LIFE
TWO OUTCOMES IN ETERNITY
KEY: There is no middle ground
Romans 6:13,16; 1 John 1:6; Matthew 6:24; Romans 13:14
WILL IT WORK?
Faith: accepting the testimony of God as true (1 John 5:9-12). We begin the Christian life by faith so we must continue by faith!
Colossians 2:6; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 11:6
LEARN>BELIEVE>ACT>EXPERIENCE
CHOICE: PRESENT TO FLESH (SIN)
Romans 6:13
Unnatural (Not who we really are) 2 Corinthians 5:17
Carnal – 1 Corinthians 3:1
“Conformed to this world” – Human Viewpoint Thinking (HVP) – Romans 12:2
Fulfilling our strong desires in a way that is not in accordance with who we are – Romans 6:13; “Deeds of the flesh” – Galatians 5:19-21
Denial of Christ – 2 Timothy 2:12
CARNAL: Very little concerned with doctrine. Not actively presenting yourself to God through studying and applying the Scripture
FRUIT, EXPERIENCE – WAGE
Spiritual immaturity – 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
Bondage to the dominion of sin (“let sin reign”) – Romans 6:12
“Death” – Romans 6:23; Romans 8:6 “Dead faith” James 2:26
“Darkness” – no fellowship with God – 1 John 1:6
“Discipline” – Divine correction – Hebrews 12:4-13
“Fruit” – shame in this life – Romans 6:21
HEAVENLY OUTCOME
Loss of reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ – 1 Corinthians 3:10-15;
2 Corinthians 5:10
Denial of “reigning” with Jesus – 2 Timothy 2:12; Luke 19:11-26
“Wicked and lazy servant” (unprofitable to Christ) – Matthew 25:26
Ashamed before Him (“shrink away”) – 1 John 2:28; Mark 8:38
“Disqualified” as a loser – 1 Corinthians 9:27
All these show a lessor degree of the enjoyment of heaven that these have in contrast to those who are faithful. Although heaven is wonderful for all, it will be even better for some. After death you cannot go back and do it over! Do it now!
CHOICE: PRESENT TO GOD AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
ROMANS 6:13
Natural (who we really are) – 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20
“Spiritual” – 1 Corinthians 3:1
Abiding in Christ – John 15:1-11; 1 John 2:28
Walking by the means of the Holy Spirit – Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:13
“Transformed”: renewed mind - Divine Viewpoint Thinking (DVP) Romans 12:2
Ephesians 4:23; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
Endurance for Christ – 2 Timothy 2:12
FRUIT, EXPERIENCE – GIFT
Spiritual maturity – 1 Corinthians 3:1; Hebrews 6:1
Freedom from the dominion of sin – Romans 6:14a
“Life”: “Eternal life” (a quality of life) – Romans 6:22;
“Abundant life” John 10:10
“Light” – Fellowship with God – 1 John 1:7
“Love” – Spiritual intimacy – John 14:21
“Fruit” – Sanctification (Set apart for God’s use; Christlikeness) – Romans 6:22
“Fruit of the Spirit” – Galatians 5:22-23
See also 1 Peter 3:10-12
HEAVENLY OUTCOME
Reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ – 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
2 Corinthians 5:10
Reign with Christ – 2 Timothy 2:12; Romans 8:17
“Good and faithful servant” (profitable) – Matthew 25:26
Confident at his appearing – 1 John 2:28
“Qualified” as a winner – 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Do you not know that those who run in a race [or, stadium] all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win [or, obtain it]. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control [or, agonizes. NIV “goes into strict training”] in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable [Dillow: “Crown of Mastery”] 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Jesus, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to give to every one according to His work Revelation 22:12
Hodges: “God gives us our salvation, but He pays for our good works.”
THE FLOWCHART OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE: A SUMMARY CHART
TWO CHOICES > TWO EXPERIENCES > TWO OUTCOMES
POSITIONAL TRUTH
Faith alone in Christ alone – Justification
Dominion of sin is broken – there is now real choice
“PRESENT”
Minute by minute choice
PRESENT TO THE FLESH PRESENT TO GOD
Unnatural – not who we really are Natural – who we really
Carnal Spiritual
Conformed to this world Abiding in Christ
Human Viewpoint Thinking Walking by the Holy Spirit
Transformed
Divine Viewpoint Thinking
EXPERIENCE – WAGE FRUIT, EXPERIENCE - GIFT
Spiritual immaturity Spiritual maturity
Bondage to the dominion of sin Freedom from dominion of sin
“Death” “Life”
“Darkness” “Light”
“Discipline” Love” (intimacy with God)
Fruit = shame in this life Fruit = sanctification and
Fruit of the Spirit
HEAVENLY OUTCOME HEAVENLY OUTCOME
Loss of reward Reward
Denial of reigning with Christ Reign with Christ
Wicked and lazy servant Good and faithful servant
Ashamed before Him Confident at His appearing
Disqualified as a loser Qualified as a winner
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