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.
B-12 to Pull Down Strongholds
This episode principally deals with motivation behind spiritual warfare, taking thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. Many of us know cerebrally what thoughts are unhealthy, but we lack the desire to aggressively take thoughts captive. Philippians 2:1-3 contains the blueprint for overcoming our fleshly lethargic response to spiritual imperatives. Before laying on the challenging, almost nonsensical command (according to the flesh) of doing nothing from selfishness or empty conceit (v.3), Paul urges his recipients to consider encouragement in Christ, consolation of love and the fellowship of the Spirit. These gifts are essentially tantamount to the undergirding power of God that would motivate a believer to be Christ-like, doing nothing from selfishness or empty conceit. Paul will then motivate by pointing to Christ's self-emptying as an example. The goal of spiritual warfare is to replace ungodly thoughts with spiritual thoughts, and the driver behind this exchange is divine power, which we access when we abide in Christ. The above 3 bi-products of the Spirit are part of the divine arsenal, which is "divinely powerful for the pulling down of strongholds." (2 Cor 10:4) Believers are consequently urged to access divine power by abiding in Christ, thus motivating them to aggressively take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.
From Abraham to Us
In this episode host Victor Vigorito discusses the life of Abraham and the applicable lessons for believers today, particularly focusing on the themes of perseverance and the working out of God's promises in our lives.
Victor begins by introducing the topic, noting that they will continue discussing Abraham, emphasizing the importance of perseverance after receiving a promise. He reads from James 5, highlighting the need for patience, drawing parallels to farmers waiting for their crops. Victor explains that believers often find themselves in a "middle zone" between receiving a promise and its fulfillment, similar to a dry period between early and late rains. He warns that if not handled properly, believers might forfeit the blessings promised by God.
He references C.S. Lewis's "Screwtape Letters," reflecting on how new believers often experience early victories and encouragement but may later encounter periods of dryness. Victor expresses that such seasons are meant for spiritual growth, urging listeners to dig deep roots in their faith during these times.
He connects this to Abraham, who received the promise of becoming a father of many nations when he was 75 but waited many years for its fulfillment. Despite doubts and missteps, Abraham's faith and hope in God's promises are pivotal. Victor discusses the significance of the covenant God made with Abraham and how that covenant assures believers today.
He emphasizes that all the promises of God come through the new covenant in Christ, suggesting that believers should return to Jesus's sacrifice for hope and certainty. Abraham's hope came from understanding that God would fulfill His promises, just as believers find assurance in Christ’s work.
Victor mentions that believers also receive a down payment of their inheritance through the Holy Spirit, providing a taste of eternal life here and now. He stresses the transformative power of God, exemplified in Abraham's life where he ultimately trusted God's preserving power, even in challenging commands.
Throughout the episode, Victor reinforces three key elements in the working out of God's promises: hope derived from God's covenant, the inheritance symbolized by Isaac as a down payment, and God’s power at work in believers. He wraps up by reading from 1 Peter about being born again to a living hope, receiving an inheritance, and the power of God that protects and transforms the faithful.