Ask a Pastor with JOBY MARTIN | January 2025 (Ep. 701)
Jan 7, 2025
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Joby Martin, a passionate pastor and spiritual guide, returns to tackle pressing questions about faith and life. He discusses distinguishing genuine New Year's resolutions from shallow ones, emphasizing true transformation and resilience. The conversation dives deep into the complexities of doubt in salvation, the nature of hell, and the presence of hatred in faith. Joby also shares heartfelt advice on supporting friends grappling with PTSD, blending profound insights with practical wisdom to bolster spiritual journeys.
True transformation requires a mindset shift towards repentance and reliance on God, rather than superficial resolutions based on willpower.
Approaching doctrinal concerns with humility and clarity is essential for maintaining personal convictions and fostering open dialogue within the church community.
Deep dives
The Fallacy of New Year Resolutions
New Year resolutions often stem from a desire for self-improvement, but they are frequently driven by remorse and personal resolutions rather than genuine change. True transformation comes from repentance, which involves reorienting one's mind and actions toward Christ and allowing the fruit of the Spirit to take root. This contrasts with manufactured resolutions that rely solely on willpower, leading to inevitable failure. Therefore, a meaningful lifestyle change requires a shift in mindset that aligns with biblical principles and acknowledges that true strength comes from recognizing one's dependence on God.
Pre-deciding for Resilience
Resilience is best cultivated through pre-decision, where individuals commit in advance to continue their positive habits regardless of circumstances. This approach aligns with a mindset shift that fosters long-term change rather than temporary fixes. The speaker emphasizes that resilience should be viewed as a state of being rather than sporadic actions, akin to athletes who train because it reflects their identity. By establishing consistent practices in advance, people can avoid the pitfalls of complacency and navigate through challenges with purpose.
Navigating Church Doctrinal Concerns
When confronted with doctrinal issues in a church, it is essential to approach the pastor with humility and clarity, seeking dialogue about concerns related to biblical teachings. If the pastor dismisses these concerns, it may signal an unhealthy environment, justifying a departure in order to maintain personal convictions. It is also crucial to communicate openly with fellow congregants about the reasons for leaving, ensuring they are aware of the biblical issues at hand. This approach encourages transparency and honesty while respecting the relationships built within the church community.
Understanding Emotional Responses in Faith
Emotionalism in church services can lead to fleeting decisions that do not translate into lasting change, often seen in summer camps where emotions run high. While initial emotional responses can be significant, they must be grounded in a thorough understanding of faith and scripture, or they risk becoming superficial. Authentic faith development involves ongoing commitment to learning and growth, rather than relying solely on emotional experiences. Therefore, it is important to balance emotional responses with a solid biblical foundation to foster genuine transformations in believers' lives.
In this episode, we welcome Joby Martin back to the show. In this interview, he answers questions about “new year, new me” people, how to handle a situation where you think your pastor is straying from what the Bible teaches, whether we should doubt someone’s salvation until we see fruit of repentance in their lives, why Hell has to include suffering, if there is a place for hatred in our lives, how to help a friend suffering from PTSD, and much more. Let’s get into it…