This episode builds on the previous program, asserting that mere propositional knowledge about Christ is insufficient for salvation. Many of us have encountered "believers" who insist they are saved based on a past recitation of the sinner's prayer, though evidence that they are presently FOLLOWING Christ is absent. This past confession amounts to acknowledgment of the facts of the gospel [propositional knowledge], but devoid of subsequent following of Christ, is an empty confession that doesn't save. The above scenario highlights the necessity of the ONGOING application of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ to anyone who claims to be a Christian. And, it is part of the constitution of every believer, "if anyone would be my disciple, he must deny himself, pick up his cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24) "Following Christ" then is the ONGOING application of our Master's life to our lives. So the application of the resurrection of Christ to everyday life, as it turns out, is foundational to being a Christian.
“Don’t Let Persecution Go to Waste”
This episode spells out the dynamic of persecution in the lives of believers. Persecution arises because of the Word sake. (Mark 4:17) Christians have received a kingdom which cannot be shaken. (Heb. 12:28) The sovereign purpose of God in persecution is therefore the removal of things which can be shaken so that the things which cannot be shaken remain. (Heb. 12:27) So typically God allows persecution in the lives of believers to expose residual unbelief and sympathy with the kingdom of darkness (Col. 1:13). The Christian should then repent and be more committed to Christ. Amidst persecution, believers are called to identify with the sufferings and death of Christ, fully cognizant that this posture glorifies Christ, as it testifies to the veracity of the gospel. The episode finally notes that Paul was motivated to suffer for Christ because he knew Him intimately: he had "the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." (2 Cor. 4:6)
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.
Repentance and the Roadmap of Sanctification
This final episode presents the typical roadmap of sanctification in which believers typically prioritize "sin" issues in their walk, eventually leading to a crisis point in which they discover they can't live the Christian life in their own power. The options are then to double down on the power of the flesh to live the Christian life (the Galatian error), or abandon all hope in the flesh and completely depend on Christ's resurrection power to live the Christian life. Repentance from dead works should ultimately result in repentance from the old self itself.