Paul Walker - I Did Not Come To Condemn But To Save
Jul 9, 2023
auto_awesome
Guest Paul Walker discusses four different people from the gospel of John, including seekers Nicodemus and an adulterous woman, and believers Thomas and Peter. They all share the desire to be in the 'inner ring'. The podcast explores the concept of the inner ring, the need for acceptance and love without condemnation, and the importance of being born again and having faith in Jesus. Love, forgiveness, doubt, and failure are also explored in relation to receiving love and grace from God.
The podcast highlights the universal desire for acceptance and belonging, emphasizing the need for a genuine inner ring of love and acceptance found in Jesus Christ.
The podcast shows how Jesus meets individuals in their brokenness and sin with love and acceptance, offering forgiveness and transformation.
Deep dives
Desire for the Inner Ring
The podcast discusses the concept of the 'inner ring' and the universal desire to be accepted and included in exclusive groups or circles. It highlights the human longing to be known and loved without any condemnation. The speaker shares an example of a young girl's excitement at being part of an exclusive program, illustrating the joy that comes from being on the inside while others are left out. However, the podcast also highlights the unsavory elements of the inner ring, such as the delight in excluding others and the inability to truly be oneself. Ultimately, the podcast suggests that this desire for acceptance and belonging can only be fully met through a genuine inner ring of love and acceptance found in Jesus Christ.
Nicodemus - The One Who Seems to Have It All
The podcast introduces Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council, as an example of someone who appears to have it all together. Despite his high standing and biblical knowledge, Nicodemus seeks Jesus in the secrecy of night, indicating a desire for something more. Jesus challenges Nicodemus to be born again, highlighting the need for a new life in Christ, rather than relying on personal righteousness or achievements. The podcast emphasizes that no one is good enough on their own, and that true acceptance and salvation come from placing faith in Jesus, not in one's own merits.
The Woman Caught in Adultery - Exposed and Loved
The podcast presents the story of a woman who is caught in the act of adultery and brought before Jesus by a group of men who want to stone her to death. In this moment of exposed sin and shame, Jesus shows her love and acceptance, refusing to condemn her. Instead, he challenges anyone without sin to cast the first stone. One by one, the accusers leave until only the woman and Jesus remain. Jesus offers her forgiveness and encourages her to go and sin no more. The podcast highlights the transformative power of encountering love and acceptance in the midst of failure and sin, and how it changes the woman's life.
Thomas - Doubting and Finding Faith
The podcast focuses on Thomas, a disciple of Jesus who is often known as 'Doubting Thomas' due to his initial skepticism about Jesus' resurrection. Rather than criticizing Thomas for his doubts and questions, Jesus meets him with love and understanding. Jesus allows Thomas to physically verify his resurrected body, showing that he accepts Thomas and his questions. The podcast affirms that doubts and questions are part of being human, and encourages listeners to bring their doubts to Jesus, who can handle them with love and acceptance. It emphasizes that genuine faith is not about having all the answers, but about experiencing the love and presence of Christ.
Today my guest is Paul Walker. We'll be looking at four different people from the gospel of John who represent four types of people: two seekers and two believers.
One seeker is a guy named Nicodemus who seems to have it all together while the other is a woman caught in the midst of adultery who's clearly got her fault lines exposed.
One believer is Thomas, Jesus's disciple who was plagued by doubts and questions. The other is Peter, fired up for Christ but finds that his life actually doesn't square with his faith.
So four people from four different places in life, each of which I would say is looking for the same thing: to be in the inner ring.
Christian apologist C.S. Lewis came to this conclusion, "I believe that in all men's lives at certain periods and in many men's lives, at all periods between infancy and extreme old age, one of the dominant elements is the desire to be inside the local ring and the terror of being left outside the inner ring."
Where have you felt it?
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode