It is absolutely critical for we disciples of Jesus Christ to be grounded in the truth of both our sin nature and our new nature or identity in Christ. Only when we are regularly reminded of how we were before Christ saved us, will we appreciate the greatness of His salvation. Only when we are regularly reminded of who we are in the flesh in the present, will we appreciate the greatness of His grace, and cleansing blood, and impartation of the life of Christ by His Spirit. I’m hoping this will especially serve us all in having more meaningful times at the Lord’s table. The following chart is given to that end. It is not exhaustive by any means. I have confined this study to the New Testament.
Our Sin Nature
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, …..all these evil things proceed from within… “ Mark 7:20-23
“ And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” Mark 10:18
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Sprit to those who ask Him?” Luke 11:13
“So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you; say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have only that which we ought to have done.” Luke 17:10
“But the tax collector….was beating his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner.” Luke 18:13 (see vs. 9-14)
“Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.” John 8:34
“…and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God” Acts 14:15
“….Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar…” Romans 3:4 (cf. Psalm 116:11)
“as it is written, THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;” Romans 3:10
“nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.” Romans 7:18
“I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wishes to do good.” Romans 7:21
“Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” Romans 7:24
“For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle.” I Cor. 15:9
“But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be!” Galatians 2:17
“For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Galatians 6:3
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked …” Ephesians 2:1,2
"....now working in the sons of disobedience." Ephesians 2:2, 5:6; Colossians 3:6
“To me the very least of all saints, this grace was given.” Ephesians 3:8
"for you were formerly darkness, ....." Ephesians 5:8
“Christ Jesus came …to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” I Tim. 1:15
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8
“Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.” Revelation 3:17
Our New Nature/Identity
“You are the salt of the earth…” Matthew 5:13
“You are the light of the world…” Matthew 5:14
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God….” John 1:12
“While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” John 12:36
“You are My friends if you do what I command you.” John 15:14, 15
“Those who receive the abundance of grace…will reign in life through…Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:17
“….as Christ was raised….so we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4
“Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:11
“and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” Romans 6:18
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Romans 8:14
“…but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” I Cor. 3:9
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you…?” I Cor. 6:19
“Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.” I Cor. 12:27
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; …” II Cor. 5:17
“Therefore, we are ambassadors of Christ, ….. II Cor. 5:20
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20
“…God and Father…who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing…” Eph. 1:3
"for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light." Eph. 5:8
“for you are all sons of light and sons of day…..” I Thess. 5:5
"As obedient children, (literally should read: "children of obedience"), do not be conformed..." I Peter 1:14
“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, …” I PETER 2:9