OK, I’m Bad..Now What?

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OK, I’m Bad..Now What?
The episode traces the journey of those who do good works. All are initially “sons of disobedience” and are “by nature children of wrath.” (Ephesians 2:2-3) Mankind can do no good, and none are “children of God.” The Holy Spirit convicts “the world” of failure to trust Christ (the essence of sin) and the means of becoming good through the work of Christ. (John 16:8-10) Faith in God is the condition that justifies believers and makes them good or righteous. Hence Paul declares in Romans 4:5 that “the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.” Once one receives Christ by faith, God regenerates the heart, making the former son of disobedience a child of God. So John 1:12 promises “as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” Finally, the believer who now has an intrinsically good heart, “created in Christ Jesus for good works,” learns to abide in Christ and bear much fruit. (John 15:5)

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  • 00:00:12 – Introduction to Kingdom Questions
  • 00:00:42 – Question: Can Unbelievers Do Good Works?
  • 00:01:47 – Paul”s Conclusion on Sin and Disobedience
  • 00:03:13 – The Role of Faith in Good Works
  • 00:04:50 – Exclusion of Boasting by Faith
  • 00:06:43 – Conviction of Sin by the Holy Spirit
  • 00:08:11 – The Path to Righteousness
  • 00:10:21 – Becoming a Child of God
  • 00:12:41 – Producing Good Works from a Regenerated Heart
  • 00:13:05 – Closing Prayer and Conclusion
OK, I’m Bad..Now What?

Podcast (kingdomquestions): Play in new window | Download | Embed

  • 00:00:12 – Introduction to Kingdom Questions
  • 00:00:42 – Question: Can Unbelievers Do Good Works?
  • 00:01:47 – Paul”s Conclusion on Sin and Disobedience
  • 00:03:13 – The Role of Faith in Good Works
  • 00:04:50 – Exclusion of Boasting by Faith
  • 00:06:43 – Conviction of Sin by the Holy Spirit
  • 00:08:11 – The Path to Righteousness
  • 00:10:21 – Becoming a Child of God
  • 00:12:41 – Producing Good Works from a Regenerated Heart
  • 00:13:05 – Closing Prayer and Conclusion
The episode traces the journey of those who do good works. All are initially “sons of disobedience” and are “by nature children of wrath.” (Ephesians 2:2-3) Mankind can do no good, and none are “children of God.” The Holy Spirit convicts “the world” of failure to trust Christ (the essence of sin) and the means of becoming good through the work of Christ. (John 16:8-10) Faith in God is the condition that justifies believers and makes them good or righteous. Hence Paul declares in Romans 4:5 that “the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.” Once one receives Christ by faith, God regenerates the heart, making the former son of disobedience a child of God. So John 1:12 promises “as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” Finally, the believer who now has an intrinsically good heart, “created in Christ Jesus for good works,” learns to abide in Christ and bear much fruit. (John 15:5)

Episode Scripture References -

Romans 11:32, Romans 4:5, Romans 3:27, Ephesians 2:10, John 16:8-10, John 1:12

More About This Episode -

In this episode of “Kingdom Questions” titled “OK, I’m Bad..Now What?”, host Victor Vigorito addresses the question of whether unbelievers can do good works. He emphasizes that, according to the Bible, particularly passages from Romans, the answer is no; even believers find it challenging to perform good works on their own. Victor explains that all people, regardless of their background—Jews or Gentiles—are considered sinners and incapable of doing good without the grace of God through Jesus Christ. Victor references Romans 9 to 11, stating that God has closed everyone in disobedience to demonstrate His mercy to all. He elaborates on how acknowledgment of one’s sinful nature makes a person a candidate for God’s mercy in Christ. He underlines that good works in a believer’s life are a result of trusting in Christ’s righteousness rather than in one’s own merits. He discusses Romans 4:5, contrasting faith with works. While many might see Abraham as a good man, Victor highlights that Abraham recognized himself as ungodly and was declared righteous because of his faith in God, not his works. He asserts that true righteousness comes through faith alone in Jesus Christ, who is both just and the justifier of those who believe. Additionally, Victor explains the role of the Holy Spirit in convicting individuals of their sin, which he frames as a failure to trust in God. He emphasizes that the Holy Spirit does not call for people to produce works but rather to depend fully on Christ’s finished work for their salvation. Victor continues by elaborating on the condition for becoming children of God, as expressed in John 1:12, which requires receiving and believing in Christ. He clarifies that merely being born does not make one a child of God; rather, one must experience spiritual rebirth through faith in Christ. After explaining how a believer’s heart is transformed upon receiving Christ, Victor concludes with a prayer, asking for help to abandon any hope in one’s goodness and to pursue good works stemming from a regenerated heart.

Key Terms From This Episode -

– Key Question: Can unbelievers do good works? – Biblical Insight: – According to the Bible, particularly Romans, unbelievers cannot perform good works. – Believers also struggle to do good without God’s grace through Jesus Christ. – All humans, Jews or Gentiles, are seen as sinners needing God’s mercy. – Reference to Romans 9-11: God closed everyone in disobedience to show His mercy. – Acknowledging sinfulness positions one for God’s mercy in Christ. – Good works result from trusted faith in Christ’s righteousness, not personal merits. – Discussion of Romans 4:5: – Faith contrasted with works; Abraham recognized his ungodliness. – Righteousness is granted through faith, not works. – Role of the Holy Spirit: – Convicts of sin as a failure to trust in God. – Calls for dependence on Christ’s finished work for salvation. – John 1:12: Condition for becoming children of God is receiving and believing in Christ. – Spiritual rebirth is necessary; being born does not equate to being a child of God. – Transformation of the believer’s heart upon receiving Christ.

Episode Scripture References -

Romans 11:32, Romans 4:5, Romans 3:27, Ephesians 2:10, John 16:8-10, John 1:12

More About This Episode -

In this episode of “Kingdom Questions” titled “OK, I’m Bad..Now What?”, host Victor Vigorito addresses the question of whether unbelievers can do good works. He emphasizes that, according to the Bible, particularly passages from Romans, the answer is no; even believers find it challenging to perform good works on their own. Victor explains that all people, regardless of their background—Jews or Gentiles—are considered sinners and incapable of doing good without the grace of God through Jesus Christ. Victor references Romans 9 to 11, stating that God has closed everyone in disobedience to demonstrate His mercy to all. He elaborates on how acknowledgment of one’s sinful nature makes a person a candidate for God’s mercy in Christ. He underlines that good works in a believer’s life are a result of trusting in Christ’s righteousness rather than in one’s own merits. He discusses Romans 4:5, contrasting faith with works. While many might see Abraham as a good man, Victor highlights that Abraham recognized himself as ungodly and was declared righteous because of his faith in God, not his works. He asserts that true righteousness comes through faith alone in Jesus Christ, who is both just and the justifier of those who believe. Additionally, Victor explains the role of the Holy Spirit in convicting individuals of their sin, which he frames as a failure to trust in God. He emphasizes that the Holy Spirit does not call for people to produce works but rather to depend fully on Christ’s finished work for their salvation. Victor continues by elaborating on the condition for becoming children of God, as expressed in John 1:12, which requires receiving and believing in Christ. He clarifies that merely being born does not make one a child of God; rather, one must experience spiritual rebirth through faith in Christ. After explaining how a believer’s heart is transformed upon receiving Christ, Victor concludes with a prayer, asking for help to abandon any hope in one’s goodness and to pursue good works stemming from a regenerated heart.

Key Terms From This Episode -

– Key Question: Can unbelievers do good works? – Biblical Insight: – According to the Bible, particularly Romans, unbelievers cannot perform good works. – Believers also struggle to do good without God’s grace through Jesus Christ. – All humans, Jews or Gentiles, are seen as sinners needing God’s mercy. – Reference to Romans 9-11: God closed everyone in disobedience to show His mercy. – Acknowledging sinfulness positions one for God’s mercy in Christ. – Good works result from trusted faith in Christ’s righteousness, not personal merits. – Discussion of Romans 4:5: – Faith contrasted with works; Abraham recognized his ungodliness. – Righteousness is granted through faith, not works. – Role of the Holy Spirit: – Convicts of sin as a failure to trust in God. – Calls for dependence on Christ’s finished work for salvation. – John 1:12: Condition for becoming children of God is receiving and believing in Christ. – Spiritual rebirth is necessary; being born does not equate to being a child of God. – Transformation of the believer’s heart upon receiving Christ.
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