This episode begins the unpacking of the full implications of repentance from the old self, which is the ultimate objective of repentance from dead works. Repentance from the carnality of the old sinful self requires discernment of what is fleshly and what is spiritual. This discernment is made possible by the circumcision of Christ. The "cutting away of the body of sin" makes carnality evident and the believer is able to discern flesh from spirit. The discernment made available by the circumcision of Christ is amplified by the Scripture which cuts between soul and spirit, exposing believers to their own carnality. The believer in sanctification is called to continually repent of carnality made evident by the circumcision of Christ and the Word of God.
Repentance from the Old Self
This episode contains my personal testimony of the futility of merely repenting from transgressions without repenting, turning away from the old sinful self. Many Christians see their salvation experience primarily in terms of resolution of sin-debt, without dealing with the primary culprit: the old self, the flesh. Sanctification is so designed to bring every believer to abandon hope of living the Christian life in their own flesh. This repentance from the old self (the full expression of repentance from dead works) lays the foundation for life in the spirit.
Repent of everything, especially the old self
This episode highlights the necessity of repenting from dead works in its fullest sense: we repent of transgressions AND we abandon hope in the flesh itself, specifically its ability to live the Christian life. If we don't embrace this holistic approach to repentance, we likely fall into the Galatian error, which is living the Christian life in the power of the flesh. Based on this all-encompassing repentance, we make progress in sanctification by identifying with the circumcision of Christ (the cutting away of the flesh) and the death of the old self on the cross, based on Romans 6:7. Holistic repentance from dead works makes sanctification possible.
Biblical repentance goes deeper than you might think
This episode goes deeper into the depth of spiritual death in which all mankind participates. Spiritual death does not simply refer to outward transgressions, but also describes the spiritual state of the inner man that produced them. Paul says in Colossians 2:13 that we were "dead in our trespasses AND the uncircumcision of our flesh," indicating that spiritual death is descriptive of both the acts themselves (dead works) and the one who is uncircumcised in the flesh. So when one repents of dead works, he also has a change of mind about the self that produced them characterized by death. The solution to spiritual deadness is the circumcision of Christ, the supernatural cutting away of the flesh in regeneration.
When morality is man-centered and not God-centered
This episode explodes anthropocentric morality as the standard for good works. Deism is cited as a prime example of a philosophical or religious system that defines good and bad based on outward morality. Love of God in the great commandment is not the primary objective, virtue itself is the goal. This redefining of good and evil in terms of outward morality apart from love of God is typical of modernity's penchant for commending itself outside of the standard of God. Repentance from dead works is the repudiation of any man-made system of morality that doesn't have love of God as the prime directive.
“Loving God completely: the standard for good works”
This introductory episode defines good works as those that fulfill the great commandments, loving God and loving neighbor. Since all mankind since the fall is incapable of fulfilling these commandments, no "good" work is even possible. The episode answers one objection raised by many that unbelievers can do good works. While works toward neighbor might be outwardly "good," if actions do not have fulfillment of the great commandment as their objective, then so-called "good" works miss the mark. "Good" means little without reference to God, so unbelievers cannot do good works. Repentance from dead works refers to the changing of the mind about one's own sin and abilities to perform good works. Coupled with faith in Christ, salvation is the result.
Motivation for Spiritual Warfare
Paul's confronting of sin in Corinthian believers provides a model on how to address sin issues in other people's lives. Paul effectively balanced a warlike posture with Christlike humility, and his godly concern for carnal believers required that he "speak the truth in love." (Eph. 4:15) What unfolds in 2 Cor. 10 is the predictable deflections of carnal Corinthians who wanted to ignore Paul's rebuke. Carnal believers insisted that Paul was carnal himself, that he "walk according to the flesh." (v. 2) They used ad hominem arguments, noting his lack of charisma. (v. 10) And lastly some Corinthians rejected his rebuke by comparing themselves with other carnal believers. (v. 12) Paul doesn't take the bait and sidesteps the foolish deflections of carnal believers. The episode challenges all believers to anticipate resistance when confronting carnality and not chase after deflections that are skillful attempts to protect sin. Instead we're called to militantly conduct spiritual warfare, taking our own thoughts captive first, and then, in full humble submission to God, lovingly confront unrepentant sin in others, ignoring their predictable deflections.
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.
I want the Truth..But not Yet
This episode calls believers to put on the belt of truth, fully cognizant that much of us still embraces the lie. Consequently, the life of sanctification is one in which our fleshly natures are subject to being offended and injured by the Spirit of Truth. The episode develops the dynamics of the flesh/spirit conflict in the context of receiving and being injured by the Truth. "The old self which is being corrupted by the lusts of deceit" (Eph. 4:22) is always threatened by God's "desire for truth in the inward parts." (Psalm 51:6) Realistically appreciating this dynamic in our own lives is essential to fully putting on the belt of truth. Christians are better off and safer by being injured by Truth than they are if they embrace the lusts of deceit, which eventually bring forth excruciating pain. The episode is a sober primer for anyone suffering from addictions, in which the lusts of deceit hide a harvest from hell.
Loving your enemies: the test of true Christianity
This final episode calls believers to evaluate their reaction to the Trump electoral victory and use it as a mirror to gage where their true identity lies. Our reaction to the Trump victory, particularly how we subsequently relate to liberals, highlights the degree that we have embraced Christ as our true identity. Do we rejoice more in the defeat of our political enemies than in our identity in Christ? Do we uncritically embrace the demonizing rhetoric of the president-elect, even though Christ calls us to love and pray for our enemies? The sign that we are making true progress in sanctification, that we are "sons of God," is loving our enemies.