Redemption Calvary Podcast

Part of being a Christian means that we continue to become more like Jesus as we go through life. Today, Pastor Cody reminds us that this change often requires pain. If we prioritize our own comfort or choose to hold onto sin in our life, then we aren’t living like Jesus. Nobody wants to experience pain, and we shouldn’t go looking for it, but the pain is so often a necessary ingredient in growth. If we’re avoiding discomfort at all costs, then we’ll probably never become the person we want to be.

The writers of the Bible frequently encourage us to put our hope in God. Today, Pastor Cody distinguishes this kind of hope as an expectation of the fulfillment of God’s promises. It’s not the same kind of hope we have when we say that we hope the weather will be good, or that our favorite sports team will win. On the contrary, we already know that our God wins! Our hope is not uncertain; as believers, our future has already been determined, and our hope is our eagerness for these things to come to pass.

As Christians, we recognize that the world is not as it ought to be. We see so much brokenness, and we continue to experience pain as we follow Jesus. Sometimes, we question why God allows bad things to happen to us. Today, Pastor Cody responds to that question and explains how God can actually take something bad and work it for good. In fact, the Bible says that God works all things for the good of His children! While God does not directly hurt us, He turns the pain we experience into good.

Pastor Cody points out today that the Greek word for “spirit” is the same word for “air.” This gives us a context for understanding our life in the Holy Spirit – without Him, we were unable to breathe. We were dead. But when we came to trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit entered us and we were given life! We were unable to save ourselves, but Christ came so that we didn’t have to. And now, through the Holy Spirit, we are able to live the abundant life Jesus promised, in the joy and peace of God.

Today, Pastor Cody teaches on one of the wonderful mysteries of the Gospel – our death to the worldly, and rebirth to the spiritual. Whereas we once lived by a law of the flesh, we now live with the Holy Spirit; not only does Christ live in us, but we also live in Him. While this is a difficult concept to wrap your head around, it’s a reality that affects every true Christian. And in the same way that the Holy Spirit dwelt in the tabernacle and the temple of the Old Testament, He now dwells in us, making us the new temple.

The Bible tells us that those who follow Christ receive no condemnation from God. But so often, this concept doesn’t feel right to us – perhaps this passage doesn’t seem to line up with what you experience. But today, Pastor Cody sheds some clarity on this. When we feel condemnation, that is not from God. But that doesn’t mean we never feel guilt for our sins. In fact, guilt can be part of the Holy Spirit’s conviction. The difference is, a conviction doesn’t lead us to run from, but toward him.

We live in a world that is infected by the curse of sin. And this sin infects our bodies, too – despite our best efforts to be good, we fall short time and time again. But this isn’t what God wants for us. And that’s what Pastor Cody addresses today, as he reminds us that living in submission to Christ is the only way to truly live a good life. By rejecting Christ, we’ll never live up to our potential and we’ll perpetually be slaves to sin. But we were created by God for so much more, and will only achieve fullness through Christ.

Oftentimes as believers, we fall into thinking that we have to behave a certain way to earn God’s love. We see that we’re living in a way that doesn’t entirely line up with God’s goodness, so we try really hard to be better people. But today, Pastor Cody shows us that this is not the solution. In fact, we’ll never be able to live up to God’s righteousness in our sinful flesh. But the beauty is that God gives us the power to battle our sins. Jesus’ sacrifice saved you for eternity and empowered you to walk in holiness now.

Astoundingly, in the New Testament Jesus says that He did not come to abolish the Old Testament Law. Instead, He came to fulfill its purpose. Pastor Cody reminds us today that the Law was always a good thing. If we think that Jesus came because the Law was bad, we are mistaken. And yet, by fulfilling the Law, Jesus has given us something better. Pastor Cody explains that the Law was limited in that it could reveal sin, but could not solve sin. But Jesus’ sacrifice has the power to save us from our sins.

The Bible tells us that, just as Jesus died and was raised back to life, so too we have died to our flesh – if we trust in Christ – and have been raised to new life. Today, Pastor Cody reminds us of this truth and also explains how the Law plays into this reality. He shows us that God’s Law of the Old Testament was a good thing, however, we now have something better– Jesus’ Law of grace. And, because of our death and resurrection to new life, we are no longer under the old law, but under the grace of Christ.