James 4 gives us an interesting warning: Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. In Ephesians 4, Paul talks about not giving the devil a foothold—don’t give him room in the congregation. What we want to talk about today is this: What does that actually look like, and what is Satan after in both of those contexts? We would argue that, throughout the New Testament, the writers are trying to protect something specific from Satan—and it’s vitally important that we understand what that is. Why? Because it’s directly connected to our spiritual health and life. These are real attacks from a real enemy.
The Most Christian Thing We Do
What is the most Christian thing we could do? If you're like many out there, you might say, "Well, I would not sin." Fair answer. That certainly is a fruit of being united to the Lord Jesus Christ. But Jon and Justin offer a different perspective today. Perhaps the most Christian thing we could ever do is confess and acknowledge our weakness and then cast ourselves into the arms of Jesus Christ. We believe this leads to all kinds of good things, including freedom, joy, and peace. It is also a path to sanctification and transformation of life. If you're wondering how that could be the case, stay tuned for today's episode.
Gospel-Lite and Law-Heavy Living
Does the Christian life ever feel like you're sitting on a bicycle, pedaling as hard as you possibly can, but not going anywhere—only to realize there's no chain on the bike? That's what we call "gospel-lite, law-heavy living." You feel like you're putting in a lot of effort but not making any progress because you've been relying on the wrong power source. That's what Justin and Jon want to talk about today: where the true source of light and power comes from.
Living by Faith Isn't Easy
Over the years, Jon and Justin have sought to defend the gospel message: that we are saved by Jesus Christ through faith in Him alone. This belief has often been met with criticism. People frequently object, saying, "Surely it’s not that simple—it has to involve more than just faith in Jesus." In response, Jon and Justin argue that faith is not as easy as it might seem. Walking by faith, rather than by sight, is challenging for us as human beings. In today’s discussion, they will explore this concept further, referencing scripture and addressing recent debates about justification, obedience, and good works. They’ll also examine our tendency to want to hold onto or point to something we’ve done as a measure of our salvation.