Straight Truth Podcast

Is Church Membership Biblical? | Watch This Episode on YouTube {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/is-church-membership-biblical\/#arve-youtube-lxydipcmoa065fa06ffe6c76221706273","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/lxYDipCMoA0?feature=oembed&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0","name":"Is Church Membership Biblical?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/STP-S15-EP07-Is-Church-Membership-Blblbical.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-04-22","description":"Is Church Membership Biblical? This topic is addressed by Dr. Richard Caldwell on the Straight Truth Podcast"} Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel Support Our Podcast Join Our Mailing List Related MessagesTo learn more about the things discussed in this podcast, consider listening to the following sermons exposited from the Word of God by Dr. Richard Caldwell:A Believer's Relationship To The ChurchThe Church - Part 1 & 2The Supernatural Nature Of The ChurchThe Ministers Of The Word In The Life Of The ChurchMeaningful IntroductionsA Noble WorkQualification For DeaconsNine Marks Of Church Discipline Done Right - Parts 1 & 2 Is Church Membership Biblical? {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/is-church-membership-biblical\/#arve-vimeo-53236656665fa06ffe7838625382531","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/532366566?h=cc669ef18a&dnt=1&app_id=122963&html5=1&title=1&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=0","name":"Is Church Membership Biblical?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/STP-S15-EP07-Is-Church-Membership-Blblbical.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-04-22","description":"Is Church Membership Biblical?"} Follow Us On Vimeo Listen to the Audio Podcast Subscribe on iPhone Subscribe on Android Subscribe on Spotify Is Church Membership Biblical?This week on the Straight Truth Podcast, the subject discussed by Dr. Richard Caldwell and host Dr. Josh Philpot regards church membership. Searching for the words church membership in the New Testament of the Bible will not yield an answer, much like searching for the word Trinity. So though the New Testament does not explicitly use the words: church membership, the concept is very much implied. For evidence of church government and leadership, there is more than just the concept. There are specific texts that speak of these things. Dr. Caldwell believes that there is much evidence for both church membership and church government. He will take us to the New Testament Scriptures to present some of this evidence.Dr. Caldwell tells us that the processes for joining a church in the days of the New Testament may not exactly match what we do today in terms of becoming a member of a local church. Conceptually, however, you do find all the same things you find in church membership today. He shares some examples from 1 Corinthians 16, the letter written to the Philippian church, and one from 3rd John. These congregations, and others like them that received these letters, were made up of individual believers.Carry Out MinistryThese examples speak of church congregations that gather, that are known to themselves, and known to others; they can be identified. These congregations have individual people identified who are trustworthy to carry out ministry. They have those identified in leadership who are called elders/overseers and deacons. There is also a church membership identifiable enough to be able to iden...

Should Christians Refer To People By Their Preferred Pronouns? | Watch This Episode on YouTube {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/should-christians-refer-to-people-by-their-preferred-pronouns\/#arve-youtube--qylx_a1alw65fa06ffec641787185055","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/-qYLX_A1Alw?iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0","name":"Should Christians Refer To People By Their Preferred Pronouns?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/STP-S15-EP06-Should-Christians-use-Pro-Nouns.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-04-22","description":"Should Christians Refer To People By Their Preferred Pronouns? This topic is addressed by Dr. Richard Caldwell on the Straight Truth Podcast"} Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel Support Our Podcast Join Our Mailing List Related Messages The following sermons by Dr. Richard Caldwell will help to further our understanding and application of these things: Qualities Of Love - Is Discerning The Goal Of Our Ministry - Pts. 1, 2, & 3 A Christian Vision For Engaging The World - Pts. 1 & 2 Love That Makes Enemies Without Excuse Biblical Manhood and Womanhood - Finding Our Way Forward From The Past Biblical Manhood and Womanhood - God's Image For God's Glory Should Christians Refer To People By Their Preferred Pronouns? {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/should-christians-refer-to-people-by-their-preferred-pronouns\/#arve-vimeo-53194873165fa06ffed147431359680","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/531948731?h=5ce5ae9f81&dnt=1&app_id=122963&html5=1&title=1&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=0","name":"Should Christians Refer To People By Their Preferred Pronouns?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/STP-S15-EP06-Should-Christians-use-Pro-Nouns.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-04-22","description":"Should Christians Refer To People By Their Preferred Pronouns?"} Follow Us On Vimeo Listen to the Audio Podcast Subscribe on iPhone Subscribe on Android Subscribe on Spotify Should Christians Refer To People By Their Preferred Pronouns? Would it be compromising for a Christian to refer to someone by their desired pronouns? Is it sinful to go along with someone out of kindness when the pronoun they ask us to use does not match who they are? How should Christians handle themselves when faced with this way of thinking? This week on the Straight Truth Podcast, Dr. Richard Caldwell and host Dr. Josh Philpot tackle this new cultural issue of pronoun use in personhood identity. They address this issue based on the Biblical understanding of who God made us to be and how God reveals this in His Word. The specific question asked, is can and should a Christian compromise when faced with this new way of thinking and believing? Dr. Caldwell says that this is a difficult question and is an issue that will be unavoidable for all of us sooner or later. He tells us, speaking for himself, he cannot violate what God has done, what God has made. He does not see how we can honor the God of the Bible and compromise in ways where we would have to act as if we believe something that we abs...

Can Someone Rightly Identify As A Gay Christian? | Watch This Episode on YouTube {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/can-someone-rightly-identify-as-a-gay-christian\/#arve-youtube-zapzuchigf465fa06fff1b99720833315","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/zAPZUCHIgf4?feature=oembed&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0","name":"Can Someone Rightly Identify As A Gay Christian?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/STP-S15-EP05-Gay-Christian.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-04-15","description":"Can Someone Rightly Identify As A Gay Christian? This topic is addressed by Dr. Richard Caldwell on the Straight Truth Podcast"} Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel Support Our Podcast Join Our Mailing List Related Messages To learn about our identity as believers in Christ Jesus, we must look at how the New Testament Scriptures speak about us. The culture will continue to create categories, labels, and identities as they group and class people but, what matters for the Christian is what God says. To learn more about what God says about us as new creations in Christ Jesus, consider listening to the following sermons by Dr. Richard Caldwell: Such Were Some Of You The Certainty Of New Life The Application Of Doctrine Marvel At Your Salvation The Outcome Of Our New Slavery New Fruit No Condemnation The Biblical View Of Homosexual Behavior Can Someone Rightly Identify As A Gay Christian? {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/can-someone-rightly-identify-as-a-gay-christian\/#arve-vimeo-52955795965fa06fff26ed008850842","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/529557959?h=9a7b738457&dnt=1&app_id=122963&html5=1&title=1&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=0","name":"Can Someone Rightly Identify As A Gay Christian?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/STP-S15-EP05-Gay-Christian.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-04-15","description":"Can Someone Rightly Identify As A Gay Christian?"} Follow Us On Vimeo Listen to the Audio Podcast Subscribe on iPhone Subscribe on Android Subscribe on Spotify Can Someone Rightly Identify As A Gay Christian? As Christians should we categorize or identify ourselves by our ongoing propensity toward a particular sin? What about identifying ourselves by our previous sinful lifestyle choices? How should Christians rightly think of their identity? In this episode of the Straight Truth Podcast, host Dr. Josh Philpot asks Dr. Richard Caldwell what would he say to someone who calls themselves a "gay Christian". What would he say to someone who identifies themselves this way? Dr. Caldwell says that if a person is indeed born again, if indeed a person is regenerate and are calling themselves a "gay Christian", they have misidentified their identity. They are not a “gay Christian”. Dr. Caldwell and D. Philpot's discussion moves from a simple answer to this question to a more detailed discussion of why this is an ...

Should Christians Be Forced To Get The COVID-19 Vaccine? | Watch This Episode on YouTube {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/should-christians-be-forced-to-get-the-covid-19-vaccine\/#arve-youtube-_bal5juwoeg65fa070002ef5071805968","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/_bAL5JuWOEg?iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0","name":"Should Christians Be Forced To Get The COVID-19 Vaccine?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/STP-S15-EP04-Should-a-Christian-be-forced-to-take-the-COVID-19-Vaccine.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-04-08","description":"Should Christians Be Forced To Get The COVID-19 Vaccine? This topic is addressed by Dr. Richard Caldwell on the Straight Truth Podcast"} Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel Support Our Podcast Join Our Mailing List Since this episode was filmed some concerns have been raised about the possibility that aborted babies were used in the creation of one or more of the Covid-19 vaccines. We do not know how accurate or inaccurate those claims are, but we were unaware of that possibility when the question was asked.Related MessagesTo gain more insight into matters of conscience and how we are to go about rightly informing our consciences, consider listening to the following sermons from the Scriptures that speak directly about this:Matters Of ConscienceLoving Those With Whom We DifferThe Mindset For Magnifying God In Our DifferencesUnity In Christ's LordshipLetting Judgement Guide Our LoveLove's Good JudgementKingdom Minded Freedom  Should Christians Be Forced To Get The COVID-19 Vaccine? {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/should-christians-be-forced-to-get-the-covid-19-vaccine\/#arve-vimeo-52908192865fa070003a57505308409","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/529081928?h=a8ef4dac25&dnt=1&app_id=122963&html5=1&title=1&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=0","name":"Should Christians Be Forced To Get The COVID-19 Vaccine?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/STP-S15-EP04-Should-a-Christian-be-forced-to-take-the-COVID-19-Vaccine.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-04-08","description":"Should Christians Be Forced To Get The COVID-19 Vaccine?"} Follow Us On Vimeo Listen to the Audio Podcast Subscribe on iPhone Subscribe on Android Subscribe on Spotify Should Christians Be Forced To Get The COVID-19 Vaccine? How should Christians respond biblically to those who seek to force us to get vaccinated for COVID-19? Shouldn’t an individual's choice to be vaccinated belong to the freedom of conscience issue? If we choose not to be vaccinated, it is sinful, is it an act of not loving our neighbor? What is the biblically right thing to do? This week on the Straight Truth Podcast, Dr. Richard Caldwell and host Dr. Josh Philpot discuss the battle of thoughts that continue to go on surrounding COVID-19. Their topic today is specifically on whether individuals should be forced to receive a vaccination against COVID-19. They seek to answer this and other questions from a biblical perspective with wisdom and principles derived from the Bible. Firstly, Dr. Caldwell says that whether we take vaccines or not, really becomes a matter of individual choice, a matter of individual conscience decisions. Currently, in the U.S., there is not a country or nationwide mandate requiring every individual to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However,

Did Adam Have Free Will? | Watch This Episode on YouTube {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/did-adam-have-free-will\/#arve-youtube-q89fcixc5k465fa07000853f442288404","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/Q89fcixc5k4?feature=oembed&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0","name":"Did Adam Have Free Will?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/STP-S15-EP03-Did-Adam-had-free-will.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-04-01","description":"Did Adam Have Free Will? This topic is addressed by Dr. Richard Caldwell on the Straight Truth Podcast"} Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel Support Our Podcast Join Our Mailing List Related Messages To learn more about this hope and the things discussed in today’s podcast, consider listening to the following sermons by Dr. Richard Caldwell:The Certainty of Salvation - Pts. 1 & 2What Adam's Failure Meant For MankindJustification & Federal UnionGlorious Contrasts & ComparisonsA New Creation PerspectiveNo CondemnationThe Believer's Privilege, Hope & PowerThe Certainty of ResurrectionUnderstanding FaithDriven To Paradise  Did Adam Have Free Will? {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/did-adam-have-free-will\/#arve-vimeo-52796440965fa0700090d8526118382","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/527964409?h=5776113537&dnt=1&app_id=122963&html5=1&title=1&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=0","name":"Did Adam Have Free Will?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/STP-S15-EP03-Did-Adam-had-free-will.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-04-01","description":"Did Adam Have Free Will?"} Follow Us On Vimeo Listen to the Audio Podcast Subscribe on iPhone Subscribe on Android Subscribe on Spotify Did Adam Have Free Will?Before sinning in the garden, did Adam have free will; could he have made a different choice than the one he made? What difference is there for those who are justified and saved by grace through faith in Christ? The New Testament tells us that Abel, Adam and Eve’s son, had faith; did Adam have faith?This week on the Straight Truth Podcast, the topic that will be discussed by Dr. Richard Caldwell and host Dr. Josh Philpot is free will. The question did Adam have free will, pertains to Adam choosing one way or the other in the garden of Eden. Was Adam of his own volition able to freely choose to do good or do evil? What did Adam lose when he sinned, how does it relate to our freedom to make choices? These questions and others will be discussed and answered.Dr. Caldwell tells us that before the fall, Adam had the ability to obey God and the ability to disobey God. Adam could have chosen to obey and could have chosen not to obey. He had the capacity, and he chose not to obey. So then, before making this choice, Adam possessed a free moral agency. Immediately after choosing to sin(disobey), Adam lost the ability to obey God. But also lost was the ability to not sin. Adam was now a sinner. He became unable to please God in all that he would do. He would violate the laws of God, the commandments of God, and the desires of God. Thus, by choosing to disobey and sin against God, Adam plunged himself and all mankind after him into the bondage of sin and death.Made NewWhat about a believer, someone who has been saved in Christ? What is the state of a Christian as compared to Adam? How is it different? Dr. Caldwell explains that salvation in Christ not only brings forgiveness ...

Are Some Sins Worse Than Others? | Watch This Episode on YouTube {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/are-some-sins-worse-than-others\/#arve-youtube-9dptuedmas465fa07000eb45935016635","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/9dptUEDmaS4?iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0","name":"Are Some Sins Worse Than Others?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/STP-S15-EP02-Is-there-a-Hierarchy-of-sins.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-03-25","description":"Are Some Sins Worse Than Others? This topic is addressed by Dr. Richard Caldwell on the Straight Truth Podcast"} Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel Support Our Podcast Join Our Mailing List Related MessagesTo learn more about these things discussed in this podcast, consider listening to the following sermons:God's Greatest Commandment - Man's Greatest NeedLife’s Most Important Question - Part 1 & 2The Sin Of Partiality - Part 4The Sin Of Slander - Part 1 & 2A Christian's View Of The BodyGod's Abandoning JudgementWatching & WaitingThe Seriousness Of Easter  Are Some Sins Worse Than Others? {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/are-some-sins-worse-than-others\/#arve-vimeo-52585159065fa07000f737281646949","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/525851590?h=277ee84a9d&dnt=1&app_id=122963&html5=1&title=1&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=0","name":"Are Some Sins Worse Than Others?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/STP-S15-EP02-Is-there-a-Hierarchy-of-sins.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-03-25","description":"Are Some Sins Worse Than Others?"} Follow Us On Vimeo Listen to the Audio Podcast Subscribe on iPhone Subscribe on Android Subscribe on Spotify Are Some Sins Worse Than Others?Does God view all sin the same? Are there some sins that are worse than others? Are the consequences and punishment the same for all sins?This week on the Straight Truth Podcast, Dr. Richard Caldwell and host Dr. Josh Philpot discuss these questions about sin. Dr. Caldwell tells us that there are definitely indications that there are some sins worse than others. Yet, regarding the consequence and punishment for sin, all sin is equally damnable. All sin falls short of God’s glory. All sin is worthy of God’s wrath. In this sense, it is all the same. Where sin differs is in regards to its weightiness, its effects, and repercussions in the human realm.Dr. Caldwell reads Matthew 23:23-24. He walks us through how Jesus reveals the weightiness of particular sins in these verses of Scripture. Dr. Caldwell also shares the difference that Jesus makes clear between the physical act of adultery and the lustful thoughts of the mind. This reveals a difference. No one would argue that the immediate repercussions of the lustful sin that takes place in the mind are equal to that of committing physical adultery. So there are some sins worse than others.The Sin Of Not Loving GodDr. Caldwell goes on to discuss the two greatest commandments as mentioned by Jesus in the New Testament. He helps us look at how the sin of not loving God as we should, is the sin that gives birth to all other sins. Not loving God as we should carries forward and is reflected in our mistreatment of people. Dr. Caldwell says when we understand these commandments rightly, we’ve gotten to the core, to the root of the sinfulness of sin in terms of its effects.Therefore all sin deserves to be damned eternally.

Why Did God Create Satan? | Watch This Episode on YouTube {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/why-did-god-create-satan\/#arve-youtube-qqv_lqdspnm65fa07001470b734558831","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/Qqv_lqdsPNM?iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0","name":"Why Did God Create Satan?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/STP-S15-EP01-Did-God-Create-Satan-V2.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-03-18","description":"Why Did God Create Satan? This topic is addressed by Dr. Richard Caldwell on the Straight Truth Podcast"} Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel Support Our Podcast Join Our Mailing List *Clarifying Note: Christian theology teaches that God’s decrees of election, reprobation, creation, and the fall occur in eternity past. However, the logical order of God’s decrees is debated. Although not discussed in this podcast, we understand that God’s decree to save is logically after his decree about the creation and fall. This is not a temporal distinction, but simply logical one.Related MessagesFollowing are sermons by Dr. Richard Caldwell that will help us gain a better grasp of these truths:The Marvelous Mind of God - Pts. 1 & 2Future Glory - Pts. 1, 2, & 3After GloryThe Road To EmmausSeated In The HeavensGlory To Jesus Why Did God Create Satan? {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/why-did-god-create-satan\/#arve-vimeo-52331720165fa070015307574531383","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/523317201?h=cdcfe90dff&dnt=1&app_id=122963&html5=1&title=1&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=0","name":"Why Did God Create Satan?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/STP-S15-EP01-Did-God-Create-Satan-V2.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-03-18","description":"Why Did God Create Satan?"} Follow Us On Vimeo Listen to the Audio Podcast Subscribe on iPhone Subscribe on Android Subscribe on Spotify Why Did God Create Satan? Wasn’t Satan created good? If God knew that Satan would rebel, why did He create Him? What possible purpose does Satan serve since all he does is destructive and not good? This week on the Straight Truth Podcast, Dr. Richard Caldwell and host Dr. Josh Philpot will discuss Satan, the Devil, the enemy of God whom we read and learn about in the Word of God. Before beginning the discussion, Dr. Caldwell says we need to approach questions that ask why carefully. We want to discuss and answer based on the revelation of what God has told us, not from the realm of human thought and opinions. So as we think about this question and others like it, we need to know there are things we want to know that God has not chosen to reveal to us. Our God has told us that the things He has revealed belong to us, but the secret things belong to the Lord (Deut. 29:29). Those things that are secret He has chosen to keep to Himself. Therefore when we seek to answer why God made Satan, all the reasons why God allowed sin, and these sorts of questions, we must keep in mind that we do not have access to all of this. Nevertheless, Dr. Caldwell says, looking at the Bible as a whole, he believes there is an answer. He says what seems clear is that what is most important to God is His own glory. Everything that God has done, and worked out according to His will, is ultimately for His glory. The Glory of God When questions like why did something originate,

Why Did God Allow Sin In The World? | Watch This Episode on YouTube {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/why-did-god-allow-sin-in-the-world\/#arve-youtube-iva5l2zblga65fa07001a003056709211","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/IVa5L2zbLgA?iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0","name":"Why Did God Allow Sin In The World?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/STP-S14-EP10-Why-Did-God-Allow-Sin.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-03-11","description":"Why Did God Allow Sin In The World? This topic is addressed by Dr. Richard Caldwell on the Straight Truth Podcast"} Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel Support Our Podcast Join Our Mailing List Why Did God Allow Sin In The World? {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/why-did-god-allow-sin-in-the-world\/#arve-vimeo-51271063965fa07001ac35599530932","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/512710639?h=2f7a352429&dnt=1&app_id=122963&html5=1&title=1&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=0","name":"Why Did God Allow Sin In The World?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/STP-S14-EP10-Why-Did-God-Allow-Sin.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-03-11","description":"Why Did God Allow Sin In The World? This topic is addressed by Dr. Richard Caldwell on the Straight Truth Podcast"} Follow Us On Vimeo Listen to the Audio Podcast Subscribe on iPhone Subscribe on Android Subscribe on Spotify Why Did God Allow Sin In The World? This season on the Straight Truth Podcast, Dr. Richard Caldwell and host Dr. Josh Philpot are before a live audience seeking to answer questions that are on the hearts and minds of those in attendance. The question this week is why did God allow sin in the world. The questioner asks, believing that God could have stopped it from the outset. But, He didn't, so the question remains, why did God allow sin? Dr. Caldwell says this is a really good question. It is one that people have been asking for a very long time and will continue to ask. He tells us the short answer is that God has allowed sin for His glory. That is, there is something that is going to be known about God, something that otherwise would not have been on display if God had not decreed or purposed sin. Dr. Caldwell explains that we don’t want to approach the question nor the answer philosophically. We want to come at this biblically. We want to take the straightforward statements of Scripture and hold on to them. Dr. Caldwell walks us through how he does this in his thinking and helps us to reflect on some of the things that God reveals about Himself in the Scriptures. He helps us think about these truths and process them in our thinking as we seek to know and understand why God allowed sin. He explains that one of the most important things that we have to know is who God is. We Have To Know His Character We have to know His character, His attributes. We need to know something about how they all work together, not separate or independent of each other. Scripture reveals that God is absolutely holy, good, and upright. He is perfectly good in all that He does and allows, and it is good because He is Good. For God to allow, permit, decree, or will sin does not make Him the author of it. So while God is not the author of sin, in that He delights in it or agrees with it,

Does God Hear The Prayers Of An Unbeliever? | Watch This Episode on YouTube {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/does-god-hear-the-prayers-of-an-unbeliever\/#arve-youtube-03xrjuzr7q865fa07001fb4a489301738","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/03XRjUZr7q8?iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0","name":"Does God Hear The Prayers Of An Unbeliever?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/STP-S14-EP09-prayers-of-unbelivers-2.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-03-04","description":"Does God Hear The Prayers Of An Unbeliever? This topic is addressed by Dr. Richard Caldwell on the Straight Truth Podcast"} Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel Support Our Podcast Join Our Mailing List Related Messages Does God Hear The Prayers Of An Unbeliever? To learn more about the things shared in today’s podcast, consider listening to or watching the following sermons exposited by Dr. Caldwell: Teach Us To Pray - The Disciples Request The Humility Of Saving Faith A Divine Argument For Drawing Near Throne Of Grace Who Wants Life (Part 1) Faith In The Face Of Frustration Joy Comes In The Morning The Wise Response To A Troubled Heart The Only Hope For A Guilty Soul Does God Hear The Prayers Of An Unbeliever? {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/does-god-hear-the-prayers-of-an-unbeliever\/#arve-vimeo-51182406665fa0700206ed377322902","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/511824066?h=5936a5490d&dnt=1&app_id=122963&html5=1&title=1&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=0","name":"Does God Hear The Prayers Of An Unbeliever?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/STP-S14-EP09-prayers-of-unbelivers-2.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-03-04","description":"Does God Hear The Prayers Of An Unbeliever?"} Follow Us On Vimeo Listen to the Audio Podcast Subscribe on iPhone Subscribe on Android Subscribe on Spotify Does God Hear The Prayers Of An Unbeliever?This season on the Straight Truth Podcast, Dr. Richard Caldwell and host Dr. Josh Philpot are before a live audience. They aim to answer questions that are on the hearts and minds of those in attendance. The question asked for this episode pertains to a statement made by Dr. Caldwell in a recent sermon. The questioner tells us that in that sermon, Dr. Caldwell stated that unbelievers are unable to pray. The questioner asks, does that mean that God doesn’t hear their prayers. If that is the case, what then changes that for a Christian?Dr. Caldwell says that what he means by that is an inability unbelievers have for prayer that only comes through salvation; it isn’t something any of us have by nature. But for a believer, someone who stands reconciled with God, they’ve been given and have a new nature they now have a relationship with God whose face they seek. Dr. Caldwell reminds us that God is all-knowing and always present. He is aware of the prayers of the lost and has no problem hearing them or understanding them. The issue is reception.A Different QuestionA different question to ask that will be helpful is, does God deal with unbelievers in the same way that He deals with believers; the answer is no. The unbeliever remains estranged from God based on sin. They are not a child of God, they do not have the Spirit of God, and they do not have Jesus as their Great High Priest in heaven.

Should A Christian Vote For A Democrat? | Watch This Episode on YouTube {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/should-a-christian-vote-for-a-democrat\/#arve-youtube-zfxirvv957g65fa07002613b197150257","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/ZfXIrVV957g?iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0","name":"Should A Christian Vote For A Democrat?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/STP-S14-EP08-Should-A-Christian-Vote-for-a-Democrat.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-02-25","description":"Should A Christian Vote For A Democrat? This topic is addressed by Dr. Richard Caldwell on the Straight Truth Podcast"} Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel Support Our Podcast Join Our Mailing List Related Messages Should A Christian Vote For A Democrat? To learn more about living out the Christian life, rightly dividing the Word of God, and how to apply it to every aspect of life, consider listening to the following sermons by Dr. Richard Caldwell: A Christian Vision For Engaging The World - Pts. 1 & 2 The Deadliness Of Zealous Ignorance The Love That Makes Enemies Children Of God In This World Whatever Happened To Holiness? Discernment For The Ages The Lives We Are Urged To Live The Aim Of Christian Exhortation Should A Christian Vote For A Democrat? {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/should-a-christian-vote-for-a-democrat\/#arve-vimeo-51005595865fa070026db6380926807","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/510055958?h=b7b636c4fd&dnt=1&app_id=122963&html5=1&title=1&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=0","name":"Should A Christian Vote For A Democrat?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/STP-S14-EP08-Should-A-Christian-Vote-for-a-Democrat.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-02-25","description":"Should A Christian Vote For A Democrat?"} Follow Us On Vimeo Listen to the Audio Podcast Subscribe on iPhone Subscribe on Android Subscribe on Spotify Should A Christian Vote For A Democrat? This season on the Straight Truth Podcast, Dr. Richard Caldwell and host Dr. Josh Philpot are before a live audience seeking to answer questions that are on the hearts and minds of those in attendance. Today we have Brianna, who states that she sees voting for a Democrat as inappropriate for a Christian due to differing beliefs on abortion, sexuality, and gender issues. Brianna wants to know how to help people that she sees heading in the wrong direction with the choices that they are making when it comes to these things and more. She would like to know what Scriptures she can appeal to that she might be able to help those with whom she speaks? Dr. Caldwell says that these are important issues. He tells us that he doesn’t know how everyone in the church he shepherds votes, nor does he spend his time trying to dictate how they do. What he wants and desires for his local congregation to do is to learn the Word of God in its fullness. He wants every person there to be saturated with the Scriptures then apply that worldview to everything that they do in life. This of course includes our role as citizens in this country (the U.S.A.) and the ability to vote. Voting gives us an opportunity to think carefully about the persons,

The Dangers of Spiritual Darkness | Watch This Episode on YouTube {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/the-dangers-of-spiritual-darkness\/#arve-youtube-kit68qhg3ki65fa07002bb4d904602743","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/kiT68QhG3KI?feature=oembed&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0","name":"The Dangers of Spiritual Darkness","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/STP-S14-EP07-Eye-Is-the-Lamp-of-the-body.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-02-11","description":"The Dangers of Spiritual Darkness. This topic is addressed by Dr. Richard Caldwell on the Straight Truth Podcast"} Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel Support Our Podcast Join Our Mailing List Related MessagesThe Dangers of Spiritual DarknessTo learn more about these sayings of Jesus and gain a deeper understanding of the things spoken about in this podcast, consider listening to or watching the following sermons by Dr. Richard Caldwell:Beware Of DeceptionThe Sunrise Of God's Tender MercyBe Careful How You ListenGod's Word Received - Pts. 1 & 2Appreciating SalvationLiving In Light Of The Incarnation - Pts. 1-4 The Dangers of Spiritual Darkness {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/the-dangers-of-spiritual-darkness\/#arve-vimeo-50761726865fa07002c754919092330","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/507617268?h=f088e49c69&dnt=1&app_id=122963&html5=1&title=1&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=0","name":"The Dangers of Spiritual Darkness","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/STP-S14-EP07-Eye-Is-the-Lamp-of-the-body.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-02-11","description":"The Dangers of Spiritual Darkness"} Follow Us On Vimeo Listen to the Audio Podcast Subscribe on iPhone Subscribe on Android Subscribe on Spotify The Dangers of Spiritual DarknessThis season on the Straight Truth Podcast, Dr. Richard Caldwell and host, Dr. Josh Philpot are before a live audience seeking to answer questions that are on the hearts and minds of those in attendance. Today our questioner asks about Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:22-23. He would like to know what Jesus means when He says, “The eye is the lamp of the body.”Dr. Caldwell says how he views this teaching, is he sees the Lord giving us a comparison or an analogy that means to teach us a spiritual truth. He shares that God has designed our bodies in a way that our eyes serve the whole person. So, there is a sense that when our eyes are healthy, the whole life, the whole body, the whole person is enlightened. But when the eye or eyes are bad, you either have difficulty seeing or cannot see at all. The entire body is in jeopardy when this is the case. Dr. Caldwell says we can think about this from the perspective of someone who has their physical eyesight and from one who is blind.He asks us to stop and think about how the eyes serve the rest of the body and then gives us an example. He helps us see how Jesus uses the physical to point to the spiritual truth. The healthy eye is the eye that sees, the eye that has spiritual perception. This eye, therefore, benefits the whole body to be full of light. But if the eye is bad it cannot see, it lacks spiritual understanding, and the entire body (the person) will be in darkness.Spiritually BlindIn the second half of verse 23, Dr. Caldwell understands the Lord as making application of what He teaches in these verses. Dr.

Understanding The Details And The Big Picture Of The Bible | Watch This Episode on YouTube {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/understanding-the-details-and-the-big-picture-of-the-bible\/#arve-youtube-gv-k_q4o7da65fa0700313bb916984676","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/gV-K_Q4O7DA?feature=oembed&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0","name":"Understanding The Details And The Big Picture Of The Bible","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/STP-S14-EP06-Details.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-02-03","description":"Understanding The Details And The Big Picture Of The Bible. This topic is addressed by Dr. Richard Caldwell on the Straight Truth Podcast"} Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel Support Our Podcast Join Our Mailing List Related MessagesUnderstanding The Details And The Big Picture Of The BibleTo learn more about things discussed in this podcast consider listening to sermons exposited from the Word of God by Dr. Richard Caldwell:God's Glorious SonA Doer Of God's WordThe Outcome Of Our Approach To God's WordGod's Word And God's PeopleBe Careful How You Listen - Pts. 1 & 2How To Persevere - The Big PictureStraight Paths Understanding The Details And The Big Picture Of The Bible {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/understanding-the-details-and-the-big-picture-of-the-bible\/#arve-vimeo-50547917965fa070031f5d113315140","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/505479179?h=998e43d59d&dnt=1&app_id=122963&html5=1&title=1&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=0","name":"Understanding The Details And The Big Picture Of The Bible","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/STP-S14-EP06-Details.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-02-04","description":"Understanding The Details And The Big Picture Of The Bible"} Follow Us On Vimeo Listen to the Audio Podcast Subscribe on iPhone Subscribe on Android Subscribe on Spotify Should I Really Rip Out My Eye To Resist Sin? This season on the Straight Truth Podcast, Dr. Richard Caldwell and host, Dr. Josh Philpot are before a live audience seeking to answer questions that are on the hearts and minds of those in attendance. Today, the questioner asks about reading the Bible and paying attention to the details while also remembering the big picture of the Bible. She wants to know how to do this and what it should look like in her daily life. Dr. Caldwell shares that every statement we have in the Scriptures has a context, and that is where we start. We will always be working from the larger picture to the details. So when we come to a detailed statement that we are trying to understand, we want to look first at the immediate context. He explains how each context setting is important to gain a proper understanding and meaning of Scripture. Dr. Caldwell says we do this sort of thing in our conversations with each other all the time. He then gives us an example of how we do this very thing using the word "key". Dr. Caldwell tells us that we have to take the biblical statements and ask, what did this mean to those who first received it. The question is never what does this mean to me, but what does it mean. We need to know the author's intended meaning when he gave it to the original audience. Live Out The Christian Life Once we know and understand this, we can take the verse and principlize it.

Should I Really Rip Out My Eye To Resist Sin? | Watch This Episode on YouTube {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/should-i-really-rip-out-my-eye-to-resist-sin\/#arve-youtube-q_cxpfol-am65fa070036a5f283708512","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/Q_cxpfOL-AM?feature=oembed&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0","name":"Should","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/STP-S14-EP05-How-To-Resist-Sin.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-01-28","description":"Should"} Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel Support Our Podcast Join Our Mailing List Related Messages Should I Really Rip Out My Eye To Resist Sin? Sin is an ongoing battle for the Believer and is one of lifelong difficulty. It is a matter of such seriousness that there may be times of dealing with it that calls us to take extreme measures; this is the teaching of Matthew 5:27-30. To learn more about this teaching, and the ways and means to deal with sin, consider listening to the following sermons by Dr. Richard Caldwell: The Children Of God In This World The Believer's Obligations Regarding Sin Salvation's Obligation How To Heed The Warnings A Love The Christian Must Reject Our Helper In Prayer Teach Us To Pray - Pts. 6 & 7 Forgiveness of Sins and Dealing with Temptation Should I Really Rip Out My Eye To Resist Sin? {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/should-i-really-rip-out-my-eye-to-resist-sin\/#arve-vimeo-50240809265fa0700375d0798655726","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/502408092?h=79eb44b906&dnt=1&app_id=122963&html5=1&title=1&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=0","name":"Should I Really Rip Out My Eye To Resist Sin?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/STP-S14-EP05-How-To-Resist-Sin.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-01-27","description":"Should I Really Rip Out My Eye To Resist Sin? This topic is addressed by Dr. Richard Caldwell on the Straight Truth Podcast"} Follow Us On Vimeo Listen to the Audio Podcast Subscribe on iPhone Subscribe on Android Subscribe on Spotify Should I Really Rip Out My Eye To Resist Sin? This season on the Straight Truth Podcast, Dr. Richard Caldwell and host, Dr. Josh Philpot are before a live audience seeking to answer questions that are on the hearts and minds of those in attendance. The questioner begins by sharing that Matthew 5:27-30 tells us what we ought to do concerning our sin and how we should deal with it. But, they ask, what does Jesus mean when He tells us to rip out our eye? Dr. Caldwell reads Matthew 5: 27-30 to give the context for the saying “rip out your eye." He tells us first that this passage teaches that sin is not just an external issue. A careful reading of the text reveals that our sin is a heart issue before it’s a physical issue. Jesus is teaching that sin must be battled on an internal level. Sin is about what goes on in the mind, as well as with the body. It’s about what takes place in the realm of our thoughts, our intentions, ambitions, and motives. Our Lord speaks here of the seriousness of sin. So serious in-fact that He tells us it would be preferable to lose a member of our body than to lose our ...

Is The Christian Life A Life Of Little To No Effort? | Watch This Episode on YouTube {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/is-the-christian-life-a-life-of-little-to-no-effort\/#arve-youtube-pkx3mcg0wag65fa07003c493265005642","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/Pkx3Mcg0Wag?feature=oembed&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0","name":"Is","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/STP-S14-EP04-If-God-is-My-provider-Why-Should-I-Work.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-01-21","description":"Is"} Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel Support Our Podcast Join Our Mailing List Related Messages Is The Christian Life A Life Of Little To No Effort? Putting off worry and anxiety, for a life of trust that excludes passivity, requires a life of dependent effort that must characterize the Christian life. To learn more about these things that Dr. Caldwell has shared in this podcast, consider listening to or watching the following sermons: Words To Worriers - Pts. 1 & 2 The Fear Free Life Running To Win Teach Us To Pray - Our Daily Bread If The Lord Wills The Life of Peace - Trusting Prayer An Increasing Savior - A Decreasing Servant The Answer For Anxiety Is The Christian Life A Life Of Little To No Effort? {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/is-the-christian-life-a-life-of-little-to-no-effort\/#arve-vimeo-49973627165fa07003d0c5205998677","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/499736271?h=7fa33f5ac3&dnt=1&app_id=122963&html5=1&title=1&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=0","name":"Is The Christian Life A Life Of Little To No Effort?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/STP-S14-EP04-If-God-is-My-provider-Why-Should-I-Work.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-01-21","description":"Is The Christian Life A Life Of Little To No Effort? This topic is addressed by Dr. Richard Caldwell on the Straight Truth Podcast"} Follow Us On Vimeo Listen to the Audio Podcast Subscribe on iPhone Subscribe on Android Subscribe on Spotify Is The Christian Life A Life Of Little To No Effort? This season on the Straight Truth Podcast, Dr. Richard Caldwell and host, Dr. Josh Philpot are before a live audience seeking to answer questions on their hearts and minds. This week our questioner shares that Matthew 6:25-34 warns us not to be concerned with what comes next. They ask does this mean as Christians that we do not have to put forth any form of effort, such as working hard at things and doing our best? Should we simply sit back and trust God to do everything for us, no matter what our circumstances? Dr. Caldwell tells us that the passage referenced teaches us not to be anxious about what we are going to put on and how we're going to make it in life. In this passage from Matthew, our Lord shares examples of the care given to the birds of the air and the grass and flowers of the fields. He uses these to show us how our Heavenly Father cares for them yet how much more He cares for us. The exhortation that He gives in this passage is for believers to trust God. The question then, is should the exhortation lead us to a life that is without effort or ambitio...

How Do I Go About Loving My Enemies While Not Surrounding Myself With Them? | Watch This Episode on YouTube {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/how-do-i-go-about-loving-my-enemies-while-not-surrounding-myself-with-them\/#arve-youtube-bcggvonfix865fa07004226d660877621","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/bcGgVonfIX8?feature=oembed&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0","name":"How","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/STP-S14-EP03-How-To-Love-My-Enemy.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-01-14","description":"How"} Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel Support Our Podcast Join Our Mailing List Related Messages How Do I Go About Loving My Enemies While Not Surrounding Myself With Them? To learn more about loving enemies and doing good to and for them, consider listening to the following sermons by Dr. Richard Caldwell: Why The World Hates Christians Hearing Jesus About Our Enemies - Pts. 1 & 2 The Logic For Love Of Enemies Living For The Will Of God Who Is My Neighbor? How Do I Go About Loving My Enemies While Not Surrounding Myself With Them? {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/how-do-i-go-about-loving-my-enemies-while-not-surrounding-myself-with-them\/#arve-vimeo-49852467165fa070042db7717552202","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/498524671?h=a150c90704&dnt=1&app_id=122963&html5=1&title=1&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=0","name":"How Do I Go About Loving My Enemies While Not Surrounding Myself With Them?","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/straighttruth.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/STP-S14-EP03-How-To-Love-My-Enemy.jpg","uploadDate":"2021-01-14","description":"How Do I Go About Loving My Enemies While Not Surrounding Myself With Them? This topic is addressed by Dr. Richard Caldwell on the Straight Truth Podcast"} Follow Us On Vimeo Listen to the Audio Podcast Subscribe on iPhone Subscribe on Android Subscribe on Spotify How Do I Go About Loving My Enemies While Not Surrounding Myself With Them? This season on the Straight Truth Podcast, Dr. Richard Caldwell and host, Dr. Josh Philpot are before a live audience seeking to answer questions that are on their hearts and minds. The question asked in this episode reflects a desire to rightly understand how to apply Matthew 5:43-48. The questioner asks, what is the best way to love their enemies while attempting to surround themselves with truthful, godly influencers? Dr. Caldwell shares the passage and then tells us that a couple of things stand out. One of those things is that something more is expected of us as believers, something that exceeds that which we will see in those who do not know the Lord. He explains that what Jesus points out is that there is a standard that believers are called to that is different than just loving those who love us. In salvation, we are given the capacity to love in a way that exceeds what we knew before knowing Christ. Whatever love we are called to express pictures that of our heavenly Father. This point also is expressed in this passage. Jesus goes on to give examples of how God does this. God goes on loving His enemies, and He is our model for us to do likewise.