This episode applies the death, burial and resurrection of Christ to sanctification, specifically how we gain the victory over sin. Romans 6:7 states that our old self was crucified with Christ, in order that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. Victory over sin begins with identification with the historical fact that our old self was crucified with Christ, and the result is that we are no longer slaves to sin. The key variable linking this historical fact with liberation from sin is the degree we identify with Christ's death, burial and resurrection. The goal, that "the body of sin might be done away with," largely depends on our active application of the death of Christ to our own sin. And the application of the resurrection, as we learn in later episodes, is that we rise to the newness of life. So before we naturally identify with the resurrection of Christ, we should also readily identify with Christ's death, which energizes us to mortify the flesh.
Are You Still on Milk?
This episode challenges believers not to adopt a welfare mentality towards Christian growth, in which the principal means of grace are neglected. The Word of God, prayer, and corporate worship are the mediated means of grace essential to Christian growth. The author of Hebrews decried the welfare mentality of his recipients: "By this time you OUGHT to be teachers... you have come to need milk and not solid food." This spirit of dependency that doesn't advance to maturity manifests among modern Christians who neglect Scripture, prayer, and corporate worship. Grace is mistakenly viewed as unmediated, coming directly from God, so diligence in cultivating the MEANS of grace is not an urgent priority. This childish welfare mentality describes many American Christians, whose only encounter with God's Law is negative, void of the positive cravings for the Law experienced by the psalmist in Psalm 119. The clear application of Psalm 119 for Christians is the diligent embrace of God's Law resulting in delight. The psalmist's attitude was the antithesis of the welfare mentality common today.
The Law Helps to Think God’s Thoughts after Him
This episode exposes the fleshly arguments that some use to justify continued expression of the flesh. The argument largely rests on using Paul's own words in Romans 7 as an excuse for not forcefully advancing spiritually. Paul himself describes himself as a prisoner of the law of sin and death in verse 23. In verse 25 he observes 2 warring principles within, and neither is ascendant. Selective proof texting of Romans 7 is naturally a convenient rationalization for Christians bent on tolerating a fair degree of carnality. Romans 8:2 thoroughly debunks the flesh's convenient co-opting of Paul in Romans 7, insisting that substantial victory is available for Christians who set their minds on the Spirit. Love of God's Law also becomes the lens of the mind set on the Spirit.
Life in Christ Trumps Sin and Death
This episode spells out the answer to the question raised in the previous broadcast: "Why do many REGENERATE believers have less appreciation for God's Law than the UNREGENERATE author of Psalm 119? The short answer is that many Christians' theology of sanctification is the pessimistic lens of Romans 7:14-25. Perpetual war between the flesh and the Spirit is the defining description of their sanctification experience and critically, their perspective hasn't been qualified by the clear promise of Romans 8:2: "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death." Paul set up his argument for Christian freedom in Romans 7, where Romans 8:2 is the optimistic conclusion. The key to growth and spiritual victory is verse 6, where the "mind set on the spirit is life and peace." Based on what Paul just declared in verse 2, the mind set on the spirit is stronger and more powerful than the mind set on the flesh. Christian failure to appropriate victory is sometimes a casualty of bad theology where the pessimistic lens of Romans 7:14-25 is divorced from the optimistic conclusion of Romans 8:2. With respect to appreciation of the Law, a pessimistic adoption of Romans 7:14-25 as the final word understandably colors one's view of the Law. A holistic love for God's Law is one of the many benefits believers should experience when their sanctification expectations are informed by Romans 8.
Illumination or Obfuscation, Dependent on the Heart’s Inclination
This episode continues the discussion on spiritual knowledge, which is not merely the cerebral apprehension of the Scriptures, but includes a heart that inclines towards the Lord.
Called to Repent and Obey
The beginning of this episode presents a positive description of repentance from God's perspective: God is not a cosmic killjoy imposing commandments on us to keep us from enjoying ourselves. His commandments are the guardrails that ensure an ultimately fulfilling life. Repentance and subsequent obedience are therefore part of the purpose of the Christian life, according to 1 Peter 1:2, where the Spirit separates us for obedience and the forgiveness of sins. Holistic salvation incorporates repentance as an ongoing practice with the aim of obeying Christ more. And all the mistakes along the way are covered by the blood of Christ.
The Word reveals, we choose LIfe or Death
The Word of God reveals carnality and exposes the believer to sinfulness in both intention and action (Heb 4:12). This episode presents the either/or option that all of have when the Word of God exposes carnality in our lives. We can either receive the Lord's correction, repent, and grow closer in our relationship with the Lord, or we ignore his voice and harden our hearts. If we choose the latter, we should read the Scripture anyway, knowing that a revelation of God's gracious character can lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4)