"With all this talk about God's glory, why do we see so little of it now?" This episode answers that question and invites believers to tap into God's glory narrative. The angels remark that the whole earth is full of God's glory, but fallen mankind, consumed with self-centered desires exchanges the glory of God for images, and big surprise, sees very little of God's glory. In salvation, the moral image of God in man is being restored, and his capacity to perceive God's glory is enlarged. This episode calls believers to ponder the glory of God just in the created order, beginning with reflecting on our own creation ("fearfully and wonderfully made") and marveling at the entire universe. Holistic salvation means we can dump the near-sighted, self-centered lens of distorted fallen humanity and embrace our renewed capacity to behold God's glory through Christ. And, if that weren't enough, we ourselves partake of that glory and are transformed from glory to glory.
“Lord I believe, Help my Unbelief!”
Building off of 2 Cor. 3:14-16, this episode highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in uncovering the numerous veils of unbelief in our lives, addressing the root problem behind all sin, which is a failure to trust Christ (John 16:9). This refusal to trust Christ in certain areas corresponds to a veil of unbelief which blinds us to the glory of Christ. The solution, of course, is to turn to Christ and the veil is lifted. But we can't simply make ourselves believe God in everything. So believers are encouraged to go forward in the spirit of "Lord I believe, help my unbelief." As we confess the sin of unbelief (1 John 1:9 ) and consume God's Word, the Holy Spirit "strengthens us with power in the inner man so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith." (Eph 3:16-17) When we do our part, the Holy Spirit comes alongside and uncovers the glory of Christ and the veil of unbelief comes tumbling down. When we cooperate with the Holy Spirit and respond positively to His convictions, we progress towards the beatific vision.
Samson: When One Sin Becomes a House of Cards
Coming from the narrative of Samson and Delilah, this episode posits how God uses deceptive influences to root out and bring into the light our own obstinate embrace of the "lusts of deceit." While Samson's obvious sin was fornication, the narrative also paints him as a liar whose moral compromise leads him to lose the lying game to the seductive manipulations of Delilah. About half of the episode centers on the deceptive nature of the "lusts of deceit" which don't immediately reveal the severity of consequences. The episode deals with many common deceptions that Christians embrace regarding unchecked embrace of the lusts of deceit, including 1)they're somehow the exception to the rule, 2) embrace of God's gifts for kingdom purposes renders indulgence in sin a "minor offense," and finally 3) the bogus conclusion that sin can be managed. All three betray an underlying pride which provides a formidable rationalization for refusing to obey God completely. This monstrous web of deceit came crashing down on Samson..literally in his death. The episode is a stark warning that God takes sanctification seriously and will judge those who "drag iniquity with the cords of falsehood." (Isaiah 5:18)
Is the Truth on Your Side?
This episode continues addressing putting on the belt of truth in the context of spiritual warfare. While Christians are saved from the wrath of God and placed into the Body of Christ upon conversion, they are not fully on God's side until every part of them that is sympathetic to the lie or lusts of deceit is removed. Consequently, God in a general sense is on the Christian's "side," but often acts as if He's not. His higher purpose in the lives of believers is their sanctification, and with respect to truth, "He desires truth in the inward parts." (Ps 51:6) He consequently deals with Christians in ways that sometimes suggest He is not on "their side." The issue of "sides" is addressed from the critical theocentric perspective of Joshua 5:13-15. The episode closes with the Scriptural evidence that sons of God don't partake of nonsensical "sides" theology, they consistently treat "enemies" and friends alike, based on the indiscriminate love of God that's been poured out in their hearts.
Illumination or Obfuscation, Dependent on the Heart’s Inclination
This episode continues the discussion on spiritual knowledge, which is not merely the cerebral apprehension of the Scriptures, but includes a heart that inclines towards the Lord.
To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain
This episode expands on the theme of the "veil" in 2 Cor 3:14-16, in which spiritual ignorance is a consequence of not turning to the Lord. Since the Christian life is much more than a past faith profession, and is more accurately a faith walk, Christians need to be vigilant in DAILY trusting Christ, otherwise the veil can potentially return. Humdrum, routine, and even boring Christianity is often indicative of a "check-the-box" approach to Christianity in which Christians are first delivered from the penalty of sin, and then are progressively delivered from the power of sin. But even victory over sin is not the end-all purpose of the Christian life. The goal is the experiential knowledge of God gained by daily turning to the Lord and beholding His glory. Paul beheld this glory, but still longed and groaned for more. "To live is Christ and to die is gain." (Phil 1:21) His life was consumed with living and beholding Christ, and his death was GAIN! It was gain because he saw God face to face and was finally given the uninterrupted experience of the beatific vision.
“Obedience: Tasting and Seeing that the Lord is Good
This episode addresses a common concern among Christians over their lack of spiritual growth or fulfillment. The answer may lie in a holistic picture of salvation, in which obedience and doing God's will is center-stage. Christ's said that "his food was to do the will" of the Father. (John 4:34) Doing God's will is nourishing to spiritual growth and provides true fulfillment, even motivating us for more service to God. The episode paints the sharp contrast between being filled up with the fulness of God in singular devotion to Christ and spiritual lethargy characterized by spiritual insensitivity and preoccupation with the cares of this world. Understanding this dynamic helps us make adjustments that foster spiritual growth and promote higher degrees of the beatific vision.
The Trinity Revealed in Salvation
This episode unpacks the role of each member of the Trinity in leading believers towards the beatific vision. In addition to uncovering the glory of Christ, the Holy Spirit reveals the thoughts of God the Father. (1 Cor. 2:11) The next verse states, "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we many know the things freely given to us by God." (12) Of course, the greatest gift "freely given to us by God the Father is Christ. (John 3:16) The Holy Spirit reveals Christ and the thoughts of the Father and Christ has "explained the Father." (John 1:18) That every member of the Trinity is united in uncovering the Godhead points to the inescapable conclusion that holistic salvation is all about the knowledge of God.
“Holistic Salvation: Forgiven to KNOW God”
This episode notes the skewed focus of many Christians who rarely graduate to the higher purpose of the Christian life, the knowledge of God. Salvation, the way it is taught in many evangelical churches, is consumed with the immediate "fix" of mankind's sin issues, which is ultimately faith in the finished work of Christ at Calvary. Focus on the eternal penalty of sin and its remittance in the person of Christ is not a complete view of salvation. "Sin-obsessed salvation" has obscured the endgame of Calvary, which is forgiven saints who grow in the knowledge of God culminating in the beatific vision. The episode revisits John and Paul's roadmap of holistic salvation where intimate knowledge of God is the goal. (Eph. 3:16-19, 1 John 2:12-14)
The Holy Spirit: Our Partner from Glory to Glory
This episode reviews and expands on the role of the Holy Spirit in every part of the believer's salvation journey, culminating in the beatific vision. "He CONVICTS the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment." (John 16:8-11) Christians CALL Christ Lord "through the Holy Spirit." (1 Cor. 12:3) The Holy Spirit CONFORMS believers into the image of Christ. (Rom 8:29) And He unCOVERS Christ's glory. (John 16:13-15) The sanctifying Spirit is our indispensable partner on the road towards the beatific vision.