Grace For This City Podcast

In this episode Justin discusses the role of the law as a tutor that brings condemnation and reveals the need for a savior, contrasting it with the ministry of grace that brings life and righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. Justin challenges the notion of universalism and "greasy grace," which suggests that sin is no longer an issue due to Jesus' sacrifice, and instead stresses the ongoing relevance of the law for those who have not yet been born again. Using passages from 2 Corinthians and Galatians, he illustrates how the law, while glorious, serves to point people toward the need for salvation, which is fulfilled in Christ, encouraging listeners to remain steadfast in their faith and to seek accountability and support in their spiritual journey.

In this episode Justin continues talking about the distinction between being a peacemaker and a peacekeeper, emphasizing the active role of peacemakers in building shalom—God's peace, wholeness, and security—in their spheres of responsibility. He contrasts this with the passive, often cowardly approach of peacekeepers who avoid conflict and compromise with chaos, allowing destructive elements to persist. He shares Biblical insights to underscore that wise individuals build peace actively, while the foolish passively tear it down. Through a personal anecdote about being physically attacked with a Bible by someone rejecting peace, Justin illustrates the challenges peacemakers face, urging listeners to embrace their God-given authority to enforce shalom in their lives and not shy away from necessary confrontation.

In this episode Justin continues a discussion on the distinction between being a peacemaker and a peacekeeper, emphasizing the Biblical call to actively pursue peace within one's sphere of responsibility, as highlighted in Romans 12:18 and Ephesians 4:3. He explains that peacemakers intentionally establish and enforce peace, even if it requires engaging in conflict to address chaos or disruptive elements, without compromising with evil or chaos. In contrast, peacekeepers may passively compromise, settling for a superficial peace that avoids necessary confrontation, which can lead to burnout and a lack of true shalom (wholeness). Justin stresses the importance of clarity, courage, and Biblical principles in maintaining peace, advocating for withdrawing from situations where chaos persists after reasonable efforts, and underscores that true peace comes from Jesus, not worldly compromises, encouraging listeners to build shalom actively with the tools God provides.

In this episode Justin explores being a peacemaker, as highlighted in Matthew 5:9, which states, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." He emphasizes the active, intentional effort required to cultivate true peace, or "shalom," which signifies wholeness, security, and nothing missing or broken. Justin contrasts peacemakers, who actively work to establish peace even if it involves conflict or confrontation, with peacekeepers, who avoid conflict at all costs, often leading to compromise and a false sense of peace. Using analogies like landscaping to illustrate the need for intentional cultivation and law enforcement mottos like "preserve peace and maintain order," he underscores that peacemakers may need to engage with chaos or threats to restore true harmony. Justin encourages listeners to stand firm in their biblical convictions, engage with foreign elements disrupting their sphere of responsibility, and prioritize shalom over passive compromise.

In this episode Justin emphasizes the critical importance of repentance in the Christian faith, arguing that forgiveness from God is contingent upon genuine confession and turning away from sin. He explains that the gospel centers on Jesus Christ serving as a substitute for humanity's sins, offering forgiveness and reconciliation with God, but only if individuals humbly repent and "plead the blood" of Jesus. Justin stresses that unconfessed sin remains "on record" and that true repentance involves a heartfelt change, not just lip service, as God does not forgive without it. He warns against the false teaching that repentance is unnecessary, suggesting it gives people a misleading sense of security, and highlights that while forgiveness wipes the spiritual slate clean, natural consequences of sin may persist. Throughout, he encourages listeners to maintain a "current" relationship with God through confession and to hold others accountable for genuine repentance.

In this episode Justin continues the discussion on the themes of love, forgiveness, confession, and repentance. He looks at Isaiah 43:25 which reveals a sequence where confession and repentance precede forgiveness and the blotting out of sins. Justin warns against false teachings that offer a false sense of security by downplaying sin, asserting that true salvation involves a transformative process initiated by repentance, not an automatic absolution, and urge listeners to embrace this Biblical truth to escape future judgment and experience genuine renewal through Jesus Christ.

In this episode Justin dives into a scriptural study focusing on the concept of love, forgiveness, and repentance as presented in the Bible. He begins by referencing 1 Corinthians 13:5 from the Amplified Classic Bible, which states that love "takes no account of the evil done to it and pays no attention to a suffered wrong," sparking a discussion on how this is often misunderstood. Justin challenges the notion of inclusionism—the idea that everyone is automatically forgiven after Jesus's resurrection—by emphasizing that repentance is essential for forgiveness and salvation. Drawing from various scriptures, including the messages of Jesus and Peter, as well as prophecies from Zechariah, he argues that God keeps a record of wrongs until an individual humbly repents and pleads the blood of Jesus, which cleanses sin and averts judgment. He warns against a false sense of security that ignores the need for personal transformation, urging listeners to embrace the gospel's call to repentance and the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice to escape the coming judgment and receive mercy.

In this episode Justin specifically focuses on 1 Corinthians 13:5 which emphasizes that love "takes no account of the evil done to it." Justin delves into the practical application of this principle, particularly the idea of covering sins, and addresses potential misinterpretations of scripture. He stresses that love, in fact, does keep a record of wrongs until repentance occurs, at which point love forgives and erases the record through the transformative power of Jesus’ blood. Justin warns against worldly definitions of love that overlook sin without repentance, contrasting them with God’s true love, which requires accountability and reconciliation. He supports his argument with additional scriptures, such as Psalm 86:5 and 1 John 1:9, to highlight the necessity of repentance for forgiveness and cleansing, urging listeners to align their understanding of love with Biblical truth rather than cultural distortions.

In this episode Justin explores the concept of spiritual discernment in an era marked by heightened spiritual activity and deception, continuing the thought on the Biblical concept of "spirit of python." He emphasizes the necessity of testing spirits to distinguish true prophetic messages from false ones, as cautioned in 1 John 4:1, and highlights the dangers of false prophets who may appear legitimate but are driven by deceptive spirits. Justin warns against the superficial judgment of prophets based on titles or appearances, advocating instead for an evaluation of their long-term conduct and fruit, as advised in James 3. He shares personal experiences of being misled and the pitfalls of prophetic ministry, such as succumbing to soulish desires rather than divine inspiration.

In this episode Justin continues with the subject on the "spirit of python," a term used to describe a deceptive spiritual force behind false prophecy, divination, and attempts to predict the future without divine authority. He emphasizes that, according to scripture—specifically referencing Isaiah—only God truly knows the future, and any genuine foresight comes from Him, often through prophets or the Holy Spirit, who, as noted in the Book of John, reveals "things to come" to believers. Justin contrasts this with the counterfeit efforts of demonic forces, which lack access to God’s mind and can only make predictions based on observable data or overheard truths, peddling falsehoods to mislead people. He warns against the allure of secret societies, psychics, and false prophets who profit from humanity’s craving for hidden knowledge, citing Daniel 2:28 where Daniel credits God alone for revealing King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, underscoring that neither Satan nor his minions possess inherent knowledge of the future.