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.
Conviction and Illumination: Uncovering the Glory of Christ
This episode highlights the Holy Spirit's activity of uncovering the glory of Christ, the unveiling of which leads to personal transformation, according to 2 Corinthians 3:18. That uncovering was initially a dreadful encounter with the God of Truth, as the Holy Spirit convicted the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgment. Upon conversion, the Holy Spirit continues his work of uncovering the glory of Christ. "He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you." (John 16:14) The work of the Spirit is indispensable for "beholding the glory of the Lord" and "being filled up with all the fulness of Christ," degrees of the beatific vision available in this life.
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)
Experiential Knowledge and the Fullness of God
This episode compares 1 John 2:12-14 and Ephesians 3:16-19, both descriptions of progressive growth in Christ, highlighting how the experiential knowledge of God is the culmination of the Christian walk. In the language of John, a father (or mother) is one who "knows Him who has been from the beginning," strongly implying one who has walked with God in time and has a track record of God's testimonies. Paul's description of mature Christian experience corresponds to "being filled up with all the fullness of God." The Christian has experienced the love of Christ which surpasses mere cerebral knowledge, and his individual capacity to experience God is filled up. Both of these advanced descriptions of sanctification mark the pathway towards the beatific vision, where believers will one day see God "face to face."
Experiential knowledge and the Beatific Vision
The episode incorporates the stages of Christian growth present in 1 John 2: 12-14 into the discussion on the beatific vision. Experiential knowledge of God, as opposed to mere cerebral knowledge of God, stands out as the defining characteristic of spiritually mature believers. In essence, they have taken the Word of God and applied it to everyday life. They experience God as real and trustworthy. Well this experiential knowledge is naturally related to degrees of the beatific vision. As we are transformed by applying the Word of God, we gain more insight into Who God is, His character, and the way He works in our lives.
Beholding the Glory..with the Spirit’s Help
This episode highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in uncovering the glory of Christ, culminating in "being filled up with all the fulness of God," (Eph 3:19), a description that smacks of the beatific vision. The disciples beheld Christ's glory (John1:14) and that very same glory is progressively uncovered by the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. Interestingly, this work begins with "the riches of God's glory" (v. 16) who, in the person of the Holy Spirit, strengthens the Christian with power in the inner man. The indwelt temple of the Holy Spirit trusts God more and begins to apprehend the love of God, potentially leading to "being filled up with all the fullness of God."