March 27, 2025 • 24 mins
What happens when we strip away the religious performance and confront our messy reality with God's transforming grace? This soul-searching exploration of Philippians 3:1-3 cuts through churchy facades to reveal what authentic faith truly looks like.
We begin by examining how our carefully curated spiritual personas—whether on social media or in church pews—mirror the same religious showmanship Paul warned against. Tim Keller's insight rings true: "Religion says 'I obey, so I'm accepted.' The gospel says 'I'm accepted, so I obey.'" This fundamental difference shapes our entire understanding of what it means to follow Jesus.
Through riveting biblical case studies, we witness how this tension plays out in human hearts across scripture. King Saul's religious rituals couldn't mask his unchanged heart. Judas walked alongside Jesus for years yet remained untransformed. Cain received undeserved protection even after murder. These stories aren't merely historical footnotes—they're mirrors reflecting our own struggles with performance-based spirituality.
The message speaks directly to those exhausted by religious striving, those wearing masks of perfection while battling inner turmoil, and those wondering if they've failed too much for grace to reach them. Mental health struggles, ambition gone wrong, and our cancel culture tendencies all find remarkable parallels in scripture's most broken characters.
What emerges is a refreshing invitation to stop performing and start surrendering. True righteousness isn't about showcasing our spiritual accomplishments but about allowing God's Spirit to transform us from the inside out. The wounded, the weary, and the wondering are all welcome here. Your mess isn't too much for God's mercy. In fact, it might be exactly where His redemptive work begins.
I would love to hear from you!
For listeners looking to deepen their engagement with the topics discussed, visit our website or check out our devotionals and poetry on Amazon, with all proceeds supporting The New York School of The Bible at Calvary Baptist Church. Stay connected and enriched on your spiritual path with us!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 0 (00:00):
Welcome to the Faith Compass Podcast.
I'm your host, javier, andtoday we're diving into a
conversation that cuts throughthe noise of our everyday lives
and grounds us in the reality ofa life shaped by God.
This episode is called MessyFaith Discovering Redemption
Beyond Religion.
We're building on Philippians,chapter 3, verses 1 through 3,
where Paul strips away the fluffand shows us the difference
between anti-religiousshowmanship and the real
(00:20):
transformative power ofrighteousness in Christ.
Along the way, we'll look atsome of Scripture's most
infamous characters, not topoint fingers, but to see how
their messes highlight God'sgrace in surprising ways.
No platitudes or churchy jargonhere, just honest questions,
real struggles and a faith thathits us right where we live.
Before we jump in, let's take amoment to seek God's guidance.
Heavenly Father, we come to youtoday hungry for your wisdom
(00:41):
and insight.
Open our hearts to the truth ofyour word, move us past surface
habits or appearances and pullus deep into what you're showing
us through scripture.
Lead this time, lord, and turnour eyes and the eyes of
everyone listening toward you.
In Jesus' name, amen.
All right, let's dig into ourpassage.
Here's Philippians, chapter 3,verses 1 through 3, from the
English Standard Version.
Finally, my brothers rejoice inthe Lord, english Standard
(01:04):
Version.
Finally, my brothers rejoice inthe Lord.
Writing the same things to youis no trouble to me and is safe
for you.
Look out for the dogs, look outfor the evildoers, look out for
those who mutilate the flesh,for we are the circumcision who
worship.
Let's think about this in terms.
We all understand social media.
These days.
People carefully curate theironline presence, sharing good
deeds, motivational quotes andpictures that scream look at me,
I matter.
It's like a highlight reeldesigned to appear virtuous or
(01:25):
successful.
In Paul's time it lookeddifferent, maybe showing off
circumcision or participating intemple rituals tangible ways to
prove you were part of the incrowd.
But Paul slices through that.
Religion gone wrong is just aperformance, a costume for the
crowd.
Righteousness, that's different.
It's not about likes orapplause.
It's about God reshaping usdeep down.
Tim Keller puts it perfectlyReligion says I obey, so I'm
(01:47):
accepted.
The gospel says I'm accepted,so I obey.
Paul's pushing us toward thatgospel truth a heart turned by
grace, not a trophy case forpraise.
We feel this pressure all thetime.
In our wired world it's temptingto flaunt our faith.
A mission trip photo, a Bibleand coffee shot, a snappy
spiritual post.
That's the flesh kicking in,craving a nod of approval,
needing to feel enough.
It's not new.
(02:08):
The Pharisees love their loudstreet corner prayers, for the
same reason as we see in Matthew, chapter 6, verse 5.
And when you pray, you must notbe like the hypocrites, for
they love to stand and pray inthe synagogues and at the street
corners that they may be seenby others.
Truly, I say to you, they havereceived their reward, but the
Spirit sets us free from thattrap, planting our worth in
Christ's finished work, not ourfiltered moments.
(02:28):
Paul's dogs and evildoers gobeyond just those obsessed with
circumcision.
They're anyone twisting faithinto a performance metric.
Take a glance at Christianinfluencer culture.
Some craft a persona drippingwith spiritual buzzwords,
stacking likes with polishedposts, yet their hearts can
remain untouched.
It's faith as a facade, hollowat the core.
Romans, chapter 12, verse 2,hits harder.
Do not conform to the patternof this world, but be
(02:50):
transformed by the renewing ofyour mind.
Then you will be able to testand approve what God's will is,
his good, pleasing and perfectwill.
That's the real pivot pause,driving at a mind remade by God,
not just a trendy label we wear.
Social media is not the villain, it's just a trendy label we
wear.
Social media is not the villain, it's just a megaphone for our
habits.
Ever feel that twinge ofjealousy, scrolling someone's
perfect faith post or the itchto top it with your own?
That's the flesh whisperingyour values, tied to what people
(03:13):
see.
Paul's fix is simple Rejoice inthe Lord.
From Philippians, chapter 3,verse 1.
That's a joy no trend or metriccan shake, rooted in what Jesus
did.
Picture living that way, freefrom proving yourself, resting
in grace.
It's wild, even revolutionary,in a world hooked on image.
That's the righteousness Paullifts up, not a spotlight we
grab, but a light glowing fromthe inside.
(03:33):
Let's see this in action withKing Saul.
From 1 Samuel, saul startsstrong, israel's first king,
god's pick, tall and magnetic,the guy everyone cheers for, as
1 Samuel, chapter 9, verse 2,says.
And he had a son whose name wasSaul, a handsome young man.
There was not a man among thepeople of Israel more handsome
than he.
From his shoulders upward hewas taller than any of the
people.
But it falls apart fast In 1Samuel, chapter 13, verses 8
(03:56):
through 14, he's facing thePhilistines, samuel's late for
the pre-battle sacrifice.
His men are bailing and Saulpanics.
He steps in, offers thesacrifice himself, something
only priests should do.
Samuel shows up and calls himout in verse 13.
It's not just impatience.
(04:18):
Saul trusted the ritual morethan God.
His religion was a tool to calmhis nerves, not a surrender to
God's plan.
Zoom in on that moment His armyshrinking, the enemies near
Saul, scared, and it shows hecouldn't wait on God's timing.
He leaned on his own moves.
Instead.
That's the flesh graspingscheming, stuck on what's in
front of you.
Religion propped him up, but itwasn't his anchor.
Still, grace beats through.
(04:39):
God doesn't ditch him rightaway.
He gives him chances to turnback Later, in 1 Samuel, chapter
15, saul messes up again,sparing King Agag and some
livestock against God's orders,saying it's for a sacrifice.
Samuel hits him hard in verse22.
And Samuel said Saul's outwardacts hit an unchanged heart, a
(05:04):
red flag for us.
Saul's story feels familiar.
Ever hit the spiritual panicbutton.
A fast prayer to dodge stress,a donation to feel better.
Religion as a deal, not achange.
Saul wanted control, not trust.
And it cost him.
But God's grace didn't quit.
Even after these flops, godkept reaching, fretting mercy
through Saul's spiral.
His tragedy goes beyond the fallitself.
It's the absence of grace hefails to grasp by 1 Samuel 28,.
(05:31):
He's desperate, pleading with amedium for answers.
God no longer provides hisreliance on fleshly solutions
crashing hard the lessonExternal actions can't
substitute for inner faith.
It's a pattern.
We still see the executive atchurch chasing networking, the
student praying just to passexams.
Religion, when treated as just atool, is not the same as a
transformed way of life.
And yet even their grace waitsfor us.
Saul could have turned back,just like David did in 2 Samuel
(05:51):
12, but he didn't.
The opportunity was there, buthe passed it up.
That's the haunting questionhis story leaves behind.
Are we leaning on religiouscrutches or are we letting the
Holy Spirit actually reshape usNow?
Let's shift the angle.
Think outward appearancesversus inward transformation.
Let's talk tattoos.
They're everywhere these days.
People ink their beliefs, theirjourneys, even their faith,
right onto their skin.
(06:11):
It's bold, it's permanent, astatement of identity for the
world to see.
In Paul's days, circumcisionplayed a similar role.
It was the physical mark ofGod's covenant with Abraham.
In Genesis, chapter 17, verses10 through 14, god told Abraham
that every male among hisdescendants must be circumcised
as a lasting sign of thecovenant.
It was serious those whorejected it were cut off from
the people.
But Paul flips the entireconversation.
(06:33):
He says the real covenant, theone that matters, is spiritual.
It's not a mark on your body,it's a transformation of your
heart.
Romans, chapter 2, verses 28and 29, makes this clear True
identity in God isn't aboutoutward signs but about inward
change.
Circumcision is no longer aboutthe flesh, it's a matter of the
heart, done by the spirit, notthe law.
Back then, those outward marksmeant everything.
(06:54):
Circumcision was like aspiritual passport.
But Paul warns in Philippians,chapter 3, verse 2, to beware of
those clinging to physicalrituals as proof of faith.
He calls them mutilators of theflesh, insisting that real
faith doesn't come fromtradition, it comes from
spiritual renewal.
Today, maybe it's a crosstattoo or John, chapter 3, verse
16 on your arm.
Scripture doesn't forbid it.
But Paul would ask is it justskin deep?
(07:16):
Is it a reflection of yourinner life with God or just a
symbol with no substance?
Tattoos can be beautifultestimonies.
Many Christian artists sayfaith-based designs are more
popular than ever and, likecircumcision once was, they can
be marks of commitment.
But Paul's focus is deeper.
He points to the Spirit's work,cutting away pride and self,
anchoring us to Jesus.
Colossians 2, verses 11 and 12,says we've been circumcised
(07:38):
without hands a spiritualsurgery, not a physical one.
When we're buried with Christin baptism and raised through
faith, that is the true mark ofbelonging.
So this isn't about judgingtattoos, it's about checking our
hearts.
Deuteronomy 10.16 calls us to.
In a culture that thrives onsurface-level identity, paul
(08:01):
says our true selves are shapednot by what we show the world
but by what God builds within us.
So we ask are we markingourselves for God or just for
attention?
That's the divide.
Religion craves applause,righteousness craves Christ.
And to drive it home, rememberJudas.
Matthew, chapter 26, verse 14through 16, tells us that Judas,
one of the twelve, went to thereligious leaders and sold Jesus
(08:22):
out for 30 pieces of silver.
He looked the part, but theSpirit never marked his heart.
Let's not follow that path.
Judas had the ultimate markpart of the twelve, walking with
Jesus, seeing miracles, holdingthe cash.
As John, chapter 12, verse 6,notes, he said this not because
he cared about the poor, butbecause he was a thief and
having charge of the money baghe used to help himself to what
was put into it.
He looked the part, but insideunchanged greed or
(08:46):
disappointment festering.
John, chapter 6, verse 64, saysbut there are some of you who do
not believe, for Jesus knewfrom the beginning who those
were who did not believe and whoit was who would betray him.
Yet he kept Judas close,teaching him, even washing his
feet, in John chapter 13, verse5.
Then he poured water into abasin and began to wash the
disciples' feet and to wipe themwith the towel that was wrapped
(09:07):
around them.
That's grace.
Knowing the betrayal is stillloving.
Judas didn't snap overnight.
It simmered.
He stole from the bag a hint ofhis heart, per John 12.
At the last supper he dips breadwith Jesus, then slips out to
sell him, as John 13, verses26-27 say.
Jesus answered it is he to whomI will give this morsel of
bread when I have dipped it.
(09:28):
So after Jesus dipped a pieceof bread, he handed it to Judas,
the son of Simon Iscariot, andthe moment Judas took it, satan
entered into him.
Then Jesus told him what you'regoing to do, do it quickly.
The title of apostle didn'tmean a thing.
Without the presence of theSpirit, grace had been pursuing
Judas all along.
Jesus didn't expose him early,didn't kick him out.
He gave him time.
But later, in Matthew, chapter27, verses 3 through 5, we see
(09:50):
Judas overcome with regret.
It says when Judas, hisbetrayer, saw that Jesus was
condemned, he changed his mindand brought back the thirty
pieces of silver to the chiefpriest and the elders, saying I
have sinned by betrayinginnocent blood.
They said what is that to us?
See to it yourself.
And throwing down the pieces ofsilver into the temple, he
departed and he went and hangedhimself.
It's not repentance.
(10:11):
Peter wept and came back inLuke, chapter 22, verse 62,.
And he went out and weptbitterly.
Judas' despair shut grace out.
Jesus called him friend at theend in Matthew, chapter 26,
verse 50.
Jesus said to him Friend, dowhat you came to do.
Chapter 26, verse 50.
Jesus said to him friend, dowhat you came to do.
Then they came up and laidhands on jesus and seized him.
The offer stood, but hewouldn't take it.
It's chilling.
(10:31):
You can be that close to jesusand still miss him.
Think about the thief on thecross.
In luke, chapter 23, verses 40through 43.
But the other rebuked him,saying do you not fear god,
since you are under the samesentence of condemnation, and we
indeed justly, for we arereceiving the due reward of our
deeds.
But this man has done nothingwrong.
And he said Jesus, remember mewhen you come into your kingdom.
And he said to him Truly I sayto you today you will be with me
(10:54):
in paradise.
No time, just a plea.
And Jesus saves him.
Judas had years to get it right.
The thief on the cross had meremoments.
It, the cross, had mere moments.
It's not about the titles youcarry, it's about the state of
your heart.
Today we see churchgoers whocan sing the hymns but don't
truly know the Savior.
Judah's story shouts it loudCredentials mean nothing.
Are we clinging to labels likeChristian leader or giver, or
(11:14):
are we letting the Spirit crackus open and transform us?
His real tragedy wasn't justthe betrayal, it was the grace
he turned his back on.
Paul hammers this home.
Righteousness isn't aboutproximity to God, it's about
being made new.
Cancel.
Culture today mirrors the rigidreligious undertones Paul
pushes back against.
One misstep, a single unearthedpost, and you're done, canceled
, no forgiveness offered.
(11:35):
Back in Paul's time, religioncould be just as unforgiving
Break a rule, skip a right, andyou're cast out.
Those mutilators he calls outprobably wielded circumcision,
like a litmus test for you toconform or get lost.
Paul, though, points to arighteousness rooted in grace,
not fallaceness.
It's about growth driven by theSpirit.
Look at Cain in Genesis 4.
He murders Abel in a fit ofjealousy and God responds in
(11:56):
verses 11 and 12.
Now you are cursed from theground, which has opened its
mouth to take your brother'sblood from your hand.
When you till the soil, it willno longer give you its strength
.
You'll be a restless wandereron the earth.
The very ground he worked turnsagainst him swift, brutal
payback.
Then grace breaks in Verse 15.
(12:21):
That mark isn't a death sentence.
It's a safeguard mercy for amurderer, even as Cain wanders
off in verse 16.
Then Cain left the Lord'spresence and settled in Nod east
of Eden.
And grace still sticks with him.
Undeserved In his world, murderwarranted instant death.
No debate, cain pleads in verse13.
My punishment is too much tobear, expecting the worst.
God turns it around.
It becomes a mark of protection, not retribution.
(12:44):
It's not a free ride.
He's still uprooted but helives.
Contrast that with today.
We tear people apart online, noredemption allowed.
Cain's mark shows grace doesn'tabandon us.
Hebrews chapter 12, verse 6,backs this up.
For the Lord disciplines thosehe loves and he corrects every
child he welcomes.
That mark shows God hasn'tabandoned Cain.
We reject God reshapes.
Are we fixated on flawlessnesshaunted by mistakes, or
(13:06):
embracing renewal?
Cain roamed, yet the markendured a quiet link to
restoration.
We're not far off pursuingvalidation instead of mercy.
Ambition fits here too.
Paul's mutilators soughtprestige through circumcision, a
status symbol, yearning forapplause.
Then as now, little has shifted.
Real ambition Paul says bragson Christ, not us.
Pharaoh in Exodus shows the flipside.
In Exodus, chapter 5, verse 2,he laughs off God.
(13:29):
And Pharaoh said who is theLord that I should obey his
voice and let Israel go?
I do not know the Lord and,moreover, I will not let Israel
go.
His goals, pyramids, power, godstatus, screen, success.
Inside he's deaf to the realGod.
The plagues in Exodus, chapters7 through 12, tear his pride
apart, piece by piece.
Pharaoh's no caricature, hisambition gone wrong, egypt's on
(13:49):
top, food, stockpiled slaveseverywhere, his name in stone.
But he digs in, even with frogs, flies, darkness piling up.
Exodus, chapter 7, verse 3,says but I will harden Pharaoh's
heart and though I multiply mysigns and wonders in the land of
Egypt, not randomly but to showhis power, each plague is a
nudge to quit Pharaoh won't.
Exodus, chapter 9, verse 16,spells it out.
(14:09):
But for this purpose I haveraised you up, to show you my
power, so that my name may beproclaimed in all the earth.
Grace glows even here.
His fame grows throughPharaoh's crash.
Cs Lewis nails it in mereChristianity.
We are half-hearted creaturesfooling about with drink and sex
and ambition.
When infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who
wants to go on making mud piesin a slum because he cannot
(14:30):
imagine what is meant by theoffer of a holiday at the sea,
we are far too easily pleased.
Pharaoh snatched at the littlethings like control and legacy,
and he lost everything thatmattered.
We're not so differentscrambling for the corner office
, the trending post, theflawless Instagram family shot.
He stacked stones into pyramids.
We stack likes into profiles.
Then Paul flips the script inPhilippians, chapter 3, verse 3,
(14:51):
for we are the circumcision whoworship by the Spirit of God
and glory in Christ Jesus andput no confidence in the flesh.
Ambition's fine, it's wiredinto us, but what's it running
after?
Grace came to Pharaoh, alifeline he ignored, it comes to
us too, not to inflate our egos, but to lift our gaze.
His fallen empire raises aquestion what endures?
Not things, but surrender.
Are we chasing dust or eternity.
(15:13):
And now let's tackle mentalhealth a big deal today.
Paul's flesh versus spiritbattle doesn't just strike our
hearts, it hits our minds too.
Religion can mask the hurt.
Do more, pray louder, keepgoing, pretend peace for a
moment.
But righteousness runs deeper.
It rewires us.
Look at Jonah in chapter 1.
God calls him to Nineveh, buthe bolts the opposite way.
Verse 3 puts it plain.
(15:33):
But Jonah rose to flee toTarshish from the presence of
the Lord.
He went down to Joppa and founda ship going to Tarshish.
He's not just dodging a place,he's freeing his purpose,
obedience and the hard stuff.
What follows A storm?
A raging sea, a whale?
It's not punishment, it's acollapse that cracks open a
breakthrough.
Three days in a fish's belly,swallowed by his own evasion,
that's rock bottom.
(15:53):
Panic, darkness, stillness, amental and spiritual breaking
(16:16):
point.
Then in Jonah chapter 2, a turncomes.
Verse 7 says when my life wasfain's not handing out rules,
he's offering healing.
Mental battles aren't moderninventions.
Moses pleaded for God to picksomeone else.
Job wished he'd never been born.
Jesus sobbed in the garden.
Scripture doesn't gloss overpain, it journeys through it
with us.
Religion dulls the ache,righteousness mends it.
Are we burying ourselves inbusyness or letting the spirit
(16:38):
cut.
Deep Grace didn't abandon Jonahin that fish.
It dragged him back to purpose.
John Orberg nailed it Spiritualgrowth isn't about doing more,
it's about becoming more.
That's the change, that's themind reset.
Philippians, chapter 3, verses 1through 3, isn't old news.
It's breathing, tugging at ourhearts, speaking to our heads.
Today, paul strips it down,showing how easy it is to cling
(17:01):
to spiritual to-do lists insteadof true change.
But he lifts our gaze to arighteousness that leans on
Christ, not self, worshipsthrough the Spirit and brags on
Jesus, not us.
This isn't about earning God'slove, it's grabbing it, letting
it sink in and living it out.
Saul, judas, cain, pharaoh theirfailures aren't just cautionary
tales.
They reflect our own trips andreveal a grace that keeps coming
.
God didn't ditch them and he'snot ditching us.
It's not our rap sheet thatmatters, it's his, signed at the
(17:22):
cross, sealed at the tomb.
This lands with us now.
Where are we at?
Holding on to performance,church points, good vibes, faith
flexes, hoping it's enough, orready to let the spirit dig in,
ditch our script and grabChrist's?
That's Philippians, chapter 3,verse 3's gut punch, dumping
confidence in ourselves for asavior who changes everything,
our drives, our goals, even ourquiet battles.
(17:42):
Maybe you're listening, worn outfrom striving, sick of masks,
maybe you've chased the wrongstuff Saul's rituals, judas'
cash and it's empty.
Or maybe shame's got youcanceled by your own screw-ups,
wondering if grace runs out.
It doesn't.
Romans, chapter 5, verse 8,says but God shows his love for
us in that, while we were stillsinners, christ died for us.
That's your invitation, righthere, right now.
Never said yes to Jesus,drifted off.
(18:05):
This is it.
It's not about being perfect,it's trusting he's perfect for
you.
Let's pray, father.
Thank you for a word that showsour cracks and shines your
strength.
Thank you for grace thatdoesn't blink at our flops but
runs to us For everyone.
Tired of the act, ready for youdeeper, meet them now.
Tear down our crutches.
(18:30):
Root us in your Son, in Jesus'name, amen.
If you're at that crossroads,curious about faith, you don't
have to sort it solo.
Say yes to Jesus, trust Himwith your life.
No prep needed.
He takes you messy.
Try this, lord.
I'm a wreck, but I'm yours.
Forgive me, leave me, make menew.
No magic words, just faith.
Hit us up atthecrossroadscollectiveorg or
(18:50):
email me at jm.
At thecrossroadscollectiveorg,we'd love to pray with you, chat
it out or link you with someoneto walk alongside.
Better yet, find a churchnearby, call a pastor or tell a
Christian friend I'm ready forJesus or I need to get back.
They'll welcome you becausethat's family.
And if you're hurting,overwhelmed, sinking, feeling
like you can't keep going, don'tgo alone.
Text 988 to the SuicidePrevention Hotline or call
(19:12):
1-800-273-8255, free,confidential.
You're not too much, you're nothopeless.
God sees you, we see you.
You're not fighting solo.
Thanks for tuning in to theFaith Compass Podcast.
Until next time, may God guideyou, guard you and pull you
closer to His heart.
See you soon, god bless, thankyou.
Welcome to the Faith Compass Podcast.
I'm your host, javier, andtoday we're diving into a
conversation that cuts throughthe noise of our everyday lives
and grounds us in the reality ofa life shaped by God.
This episode is called MessyFaith Discovering Redemption
Beyond Religion.
We're building on Philippians,chapter 3, verses 1 through 3,
where Paul strips away the fluffand shows us the difference
between anti-religiousshowmanship and the real
(00:20):
transformative power ofrighteousness in Christ.
Along the way, we'll look atsome of Scripture's most
infamous characters, not topoint fingers, but to see how
their messes highlight God'sgrace in surprising ways.
No platitudes or churchy jargonhere, just honest questions,
real struggles and a faith thathits us right where we live.
Before we jump in, let's take amoment to seek God's guidance.
Heavenly Father, we come to youtoday hungry for your wisdom
(00:41):
and insight.
Open our hearts to the truth ofyour word, move us past surface
habits or appearances and pullus deep into what you're showing
us through scripture.
Lead this time, lord, and turnour eyes and the eyes of
everyone listening toward you.
In Jesus' name, amen.
All right, let's dig into ourpassage.
Here's Philippians, chapter 3,verses 1 through 3, from the
English Standard Version.
Finally, my brothers rejoice inthe Lord, english Standard
(01:04):
Version.
Finally, my brothers rejoice inthe Lord.
Writing the same things to youis no trouble to me and is safe
for you.
Look out for the dogs, look outfor the evildoers, look out for
those who mutilate the flesh,for we are the circumcision who
worship.
Let's think about this in terms.
We all understand social media.
These days.
People carefully curate theironline presence, sharing good
deeds, motivational quotes andpictures that scream look at me,
I matter.
It's like a highlight reeldesigned to appear virtuous or
(01:25):
successful.
In Paul's time it lookeddifferent, maybe showing off
circumcision or participating intemple rituals tangible ways to
prove you were part of the incrowd.
But Paul slices through that.
Religion gone wrong is just aperformance, a costume for the
crowd.
Righteousness, that's different.
It's not about likes orapplause.
It's about God reshaping usdeep down.
Tim Keller puts it perfectlyReligion says I obey, so I'm
(01:47):
accepted.
The gospel says I'm accepted,so I obey.
Paul's pushing us toward thatgospel truth a heart turned by
grace, not a trophy case forpraise.
We feel this pressure all thetime.
In our wired world it's temptingto flaunt our faith.
A mission trip photo, a Bibleand coffee shot, a snappy
spiritual post.
That's the flesh kicking in,craving a nod of approval,
needing to feel enough.
It's not new.
(02:08):
The Pharisees love their loudstreet corner prayers, for the
same reason as we see in Matthew, chapter 6, verse 5.
And when you pray, you must notbe like the hypocrites, for
they love to stand and pray inthe synagogues and at the street
corners that they may be seenby others.
Truly, I say to you, they havereceived their reward, but the
Spirit sets us free from thattrap, planting our worth in
Christ's finished work, not ourfiltered moments.
(02:28):
Paul's dogs and evildoers gobeyond just those obsessed with
circumcision.
They're anyone twisting faithinto a performance metric.
Take a glance at Christianinfluencer culture.
Some craft a persona drippingwith spiritual buzzwords,
stacking likes with polishedposts, yet their hearts can
remain untouched.
It's faith as a facade, hollowat the core.
Romans, chapter 12, verse 2,hits harder.
Do not conform to the patternof this world, but be
(02:50):
transformed by the renewing ofyour mind.
Then you will be able to testand approve what God's will is,
his good, pleasing and perfectwill.
That's the real pivot pause,driving at a mind remade by God,
not just a trendy label we wear.
Social media is not the villain, it's just a trendy label we
wear.
Social media is not the villain, it's just a megaphone for our
habits.
Ever feel that twinge ofjealousy, scrolling someone's
perfect faith post or the itchto top it with your own?
That's the flesh whisperingyour values, tied to what people
(03:13):
see.
Paul's fix is simple Rejoice inthe Lord.
From Philippians, chapter 3,verse 1.
That's a joy no trend or metriccan shake, rooted in what Jesus
did.
Picture living that way, freefrom proving yourself, resting
in grace.
It's wild, even revolutionary,in a world hooked on image.
That's the righteousness Paullifts up, not a spotlight we
grab, but a light glowing fromthe inside.
(03:33):
Let's see this in action withKing Saul.
From 1 Samuel, saul startsstrong, israel's first king,
god's pick, tall and magnetic,the guy everyone cheers for, as
1 Samuel, chapter 9, verse 2,says.
And he had a son whose name wasSaul, a handsome young man.
There was not a man among thepeople of Israel more handsome
than he.
From his shoulders upward hewas taller than any of the
people.
But it falls apart fast In 1Samuel, chapter 13, verses 8
(03:56):
through 14, he's facing thePhilistines, samuel's late for
the pre-battle sacrifice.
His men are bailing and Saulpanics.
He steps in, offers thesacrifice himself, something
only priests should do.
Samuel shows up and calls himout in verse 13.
It's not just impatience.
(04:18):
Saul trusted the ritual morethan God.
His religion was a tool to calmhis nerves, not a surrender to
God's plan.
Zoom in on that moment His armyshrinking, the enemies near
Saul, scared, and it shows hecouldn't wait on God's timing.
He leaned on his own moves.
Instead.
That's the flesh graspingscheming, stuck on what's in
front of you.
Religion propped him up, but itwasn't his anchor.
Still, grace beats through.
(04:39):
God doesn't ditch him rightaway.
He gives him chances to turnback Later, in 1 Samuel, chapter
15, saul messes up again,sparing King Agag and some
livestock against God's orders,saying it's for a sacrifice.
Samuel hits him hard in verse22.
And Samuel said Saul's outwardacts hit an unchanged heart, a
(05:04):
red flag for us.
Saul's story feels familiar.
Ever hit the spiritual panicbutton.
A fast prayer to dodge stress,a donation to feel better.
Religion as a deal, not achange.
Saul wanted control, not trust.
And it cost him.
But God's grace didn't quit.
Even after these flops, godkept reaching, fretting mercy
through Saul's spiral.
His tragedy goes beyond the fallitself.
It's the absence of grace hefails to grasp by 1 Samuel 28,.
(05:31):
He's desperate, pleading with amedium for answers.
God no longer provides hisreliance on fleshly solutions
crashing hard the lessonExternal actions can't
substitute for inner faith.
It's a pattern.
We still see the executive atchurch chasing networking, the
student praying just to passexams.
Religion, when treated as just atool, is not the same as a
transformed way of life.
And yet even their grace waitsfor us.
Saul could have turned back,just like David did in 2 Samuel
(05:51):
12, but he didn't.
The opportunity was there, buthe passed it up.
That's the haunting questionhis story leaves behind.
Are we leaning on religiouscrutches or are we letting the
Holy Spirit actually reshape usNow?
Let's shift the angle.
Think outward appearancesversus inward transformation.
Let's talk tattoos.
They're everywhere these days.
People ink their beliefs, theirjourneys, even their faith,
right onto their skin.
(06:11):
It's bold, it's permanent, astatement of identity for the
world to see.
In Paul's days, circumcisionplayed a similar role.
It was the physical mark ofGod's covenant with Abraham.
In Genesis, chapter 17, verses10 through 14, god told Abraham
that every male among hisdescendants must be circumcised
as a lasting sign of thecovenant.
It was serious those whorejected it were cut off from
the people.
But Paul flips the entireconversation.
(06:33):
He says the real covenant, theone that matters, is spiritual.
It's not a mark on your body,it's a transformation of your
heart.
Romans, chapter 2, verses 28and 29, makes this clear True
identity in God isn't aboutoutward signs but about inward
change.
Circumcision is no longer aboutthe flesh, it's a matter of the
heart, done by the spirit, notthe law.
Back then, those outward marksmeant everything.
(06:54):
Circumcision was like aspiritual passport.
But Paul warns in Philippians,chapter 3, verse 2, to beware of
those clinging to physicalrituals as proof of faith.
He calls them mutilators of theflesh, insisting that real
faith doesn't come fromtradition, it comes from
spiritual renewal.
Today, maybe it's a crosstattoo or John, chapter 3, verse
16 on your arm.
Scripture doesn't forbid it.
But Paul would ask is it justskin deep?
(07:16):
Is it a reflection of yourinner life with God or just a
symbol with no substance?
Tattoos can be beautifultestimonies.
Many Christian artists sayfaith-based designs are more
popular than ever and, likecircumcision once was, they can
be marks of commitment.
But Paul's focus is deeper.
He points to the Spirit's work,cutting away pride and self,
anchoring us to Jesus.
Colossians 2, verses 11 and 12,says we've been circumcised
(07:38):
without hands a spiritualsurgery, not a physical one.
When we're buried with Christin baptism and raised through
faith, that is the true mark ofbelonging.
So this isn't about judgingtattoos, it's about checking our
hearts.
Deuteronomy 10.16 calls us to.
In a culture that thrives onsurface-level identity, paul
(08:01):
says our true selves are shapednot by what we show the world
but by what God builds within us.
So we ask are we markingourselves for God or just for
attention?
That's the divide.
Religion craves applause,righteousness craves Christ.
And to drive it home, rememberJudas.
Matthew, chapter 26, verse 14through 16, tells us that Judas,
one of the twelve, went to thereligious leaders and sold Jesus
(08:22):
out for 30 pieces of silver.
He looked the part, but theSpirit never marked his heart.
Let's not follow that path.
Judas had the ultimate markpart of the twelve, walking with
Jesus, seeing miracles, holdingthe cash.
As John, chapter 12, verse 6,notes, he said this not because
he cared about the poor, butbecause he was a thief and
having charge of the money baghe used to help himself to what
was put into it.
He looked the part, but insideunchanged greed or
(08:46):
disappointment festering.
John, chapter 6, verse 64, saysbut there are some of you who do
not believe, for Jesus knewfrom the beginning who those
were who did not believe and whoit was who would betray him.
Yet he kept Judas close,teaching him, even washing his
feet, in John chapter 13, verse5.
Then he poured water into abasin and began to wash the
disciples' feet and to wipe themwith the towel that was wrapped
(09:07):
around them.
That's grace.
Knowing the betrayal is stillloving.
Judas didn't snap overnight.
It simmered.
He stole from the bag a hint ofhis heart, per John 12.
At the last supper he dips breadwith Jesus, then slips out to
sell him, as John 13, verses26-27 say.
Jesus answered it is he to whomI will give this morsel of
bread when I have dipped it.
(09:28):
So after Jesus dipped a pieceof bread, he handed it to Judas,
the son of Simon Iscariot, andthe moment Judas took it, satan
entered into him.
Then Jesus told him what you'regoing to do, do it quickly.
The title of apostle didn'tmean a thing.
Without the presence of theSpirit, grace had been pursuing
Judas all along.
Jesus didn't expose him early,didn't kick him out.
He gave him time.
But later, in Matthew, chapter27, verses 3 through 5, we see
(09:50):
Judas overcome with regret.
It says when Judas, hisbetrayer, saw that Jesus was
condemned, he changed his mindand brought back the thirty
pieces of silver to the chiefpriest and the elders, saying I
have sinned by betrayinginnocent blood.
They said what is that to us?
See to it yourself.
And throwing down the pieces ofsilver into the temple, he
departed and he went and hangedhimself.
It's not repentance.
(10:11):
Peter wept and came back inLuke, chapter 22, verse 62,.
And he went out and weptbitterly.
Judas' despair shut grace out.
Jesus called him friend at theend in Matthew, chapter 26,
verse 50.
Jesus said to him Friend, dowhat you came to do.
Chapter 26, verse 50.
Jesus said to him friend, dowhat you came to do.
Then they came up and laidhands on jesus and seized him.
The offer stood, but hewouldn't take it.
It's chilling.
(10:31):
You can be that close to jesusand still miss him.
Think about the thief on thecross.
In luke, chapter 23, verses 40through 43.
But the other rebuked him,saying do you not fear god,
since you are under the samesentence of condemnation, and we
indeed justly, for we arereceiving the due reward of our
deeds.
But this man has done nothingwrong.
And he said Jesus, remember mewhen you come into your kingdom.
And he said to him Truly I sayto you today you will be with me
(10:54):
in paradise.
No time, just a plea.
And Jesus saves him.
Judas had years to get it right.
The thief on the cross had meremoments.
It, the cross, had mere moments.
It's not about the titles youcarry, it's about the state of
your heart.
Today we see churchgoers whocan sing the hymns but don't
truly know the Savior.
Judah's story shouts it loudCredentials mean nothing.
Are we clinging to labels likeChristian leader or giver, or
(11:14):
are we letting the Spirit crackus open and transform us?
His real tragedy wasn't justthe betrayal, it was the grace
he turned his back on.
Paul hammers this home.
Righteousness isn't aboutproximity to God, it's about
being made new.
Cancel.
Culture today mirrors the rigidreligious undertones Paul
pushes back against.
One misstep, a single unearthedpost, and you're done, canceled
, no forgiveness offered.
(11:35):
Back in Paul's time, religioncould be just as unforgiving
Break a rule, skip a right, andyou're cast out.
Those mutilators he calls outprobably wielded circumcision,
like a litmus test for you toconform or get lost.
Paul, though, points to arighteousness rooted in grace,
not fallaceness.
It's about growth driven by theSpirit.
Look at Cain in Genesis 4.
He murders Abel in a fit ofjealousy and God responds in
(11:56):
verses 11 and 12.
Now you are cursed from theground, which has opened its
mouth to take your brother'sblood from your hand.
When you till the soil, it willno longer give you its strength
.
You'll be a restless wandereron the earth.
The very ground he worked turnsagainst him swift, brutal
payback.
Then grace breaks in Verse 15.
(12:21):
That mark isn't a death sentence.
It's a safeguard mercy for amurderer, even as Cain wanders
off in verse 16.
Then Cain left the Lord'spresence and settled in Nod east
of Eden.
And grace still sticks with him.
Undeserved In his world, murderwarranted instant death.
No debate, cain pleads in verse13.
My punishment is too much tobear, expecting the worst.
God turns it around.
It becomes a mark of protection, not retribution.
(12:44):
It's not a free ride.
He's still uprooted but helives.
Contrast that with today.
We tear people apart online, noredemption allowed.
Cain's mark shows grace doesn'tabandon us.
Hebrews chapter 12, verse 6,backs this up.
For the Lord disciplines thosehe loves and he corrects every
child he welcomes.
That mark shows God hasn'tabandoned Cain.
We reject God reshapes.
Are we fixated on flawlessnesshaunted by mistakes, or
(13:06):
embracing renewal?
Cain roamed, yet the markendured a quiet link to
restoration.
We're not far off pursuingvalidation instead of mercy.
Ambition fits here too.
Paul's mutilators soughtprestige through circumcision, a
status symbol, yearning forapplause.
Then as now, little has shifted.
Real ambition Paul says bragson Christ, not us.
Pharaoh in Exodus shows the flipside.
In Exodus, chapter 5, verse 2,he laughs off God.
(13:29):
And Pharaoh said who is theLord that I should obey his
voice and let Israel go?
I do not know the Lord and,moreover, I will not let Israel
go.
His goals, pyramids, power, godstatus, screen, success.
Inside he's deaf to the realGod.
The plagues in Exodus, chapters7 through 12, tear his pride
apart, piece by piece.
Pharaoh's no caricature, hisambition gone wrong, egypt's on
(13:49):
top, food, stockpiled slaveseverywhere, his name in stone.
But he digs in, even with frogs, flies, darkness piling up.
Exodus, chapter 7, verse 3,says but I will harden Pharaoh's
heart and though I multiply mysigns and wonders in the land of
Egypt, not randomly but to showhis power, each plague is a
nudge to quit Pharaoh won't.
Exodus, chapter 9, verse 16,spells it out.
(14:09):
But for this purpose I haveraised you up, to show you my
power, so that my name may beproclaimed in all the earth.
Grace glows even here.
His fame grows throughPharaoh's crash.
Cs Lewis nails it in mereChristianity.
We are half-hearted creaturesfooling about with drink and sex
and ambition.
When infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who
wants to go on making mud piesin a slum because he cannot
(14:30):
imagine what is meant by theoffer of a holiday at the sea,
we are far too easily pleased.
Pharaoh snatched at the littlethings like control and legacy,
and he lost everything thatmattered.
We're not so differentscrambling for the corner office
, the trending post, theflawless Instagram family shot.
He stacked stones into pyramids.
We stack likes into profiles.
Then Paul flips the script inPhilippians, chapter 3, verse 3,
(14:51):
for we are the circumcision whoworship by the Spirit of God
and glory in Christ Jesus andput no confidence in the flesh.
Ambition's fine, it's wiredinto us, but what's it running
after?
Grace came to Pharaoh, alifeline he ignored, it comes to
us too, not to inflate our egos, but to lift our gaze.
His fallen empire raises aquestion what endures?
Not things, but surrender.
Are we chasing dust or eternity.
(15:13):
And now let's tackle mentalhealth a big deal today.
Paul's flesh versus spiritbattle doesn't just strike our
hearts, it hits our minds too.
Religion can mask the hurt.
Do more, pray louder, keepgoing, pretend peace for a
moment.
But righteousness runs deeper.
It rewires us.
Look at Jonah in chapter 1.
God calls him to Nineveh, buthe bolts the opposite way.
Verse 3 puts it plain.
(15:33):
But Jonah rose to flee toTarshish from the presence of
the Lord.
He went down to Joppa and founda ship going to Tarshish.
He's not just dodging a place,he's freeing his purpose,
obedience and the hard stuff.
What follows A storm?
A raging sea, a whale?
It's not punishment, it's acollapse that cracks open a
breakthrough.
Three days in a fish's belly,swallowed by his own evasion,
that's rock bottom.
(15:53):
Panic, darkness, stillness, amental and spiritual breaking
(16:16):
point.
Then in Jonah chapter 2, a turncomes.
Verse 7 says when my life wasfain's not handing out rules,
he's offering healing.
Mental battles aren't moderninventions.
Moses pleaded for God to picksomeone else.
Job wished he'd never been born.
Jesus sobbed in the garden.
Scripture doesn't gloss overpain, it journeys through it
with us.
Religion dulls the ache,righteousness mends it.
Are we burying ourselves inbusyness or letting the spirit
(16:38):
cut.
Deep Grace didn't abandon Jonahin that fish.
It dragged him back to purpose.
John Orberg nailed it Spiritualgrowth isn't about doing more,
it's about becoming more.
That's the change, that's themind reset.
Philippians, chapter 3, verses 1through 3, isn't old news.
It's breathing, tugging at ourhearts, speaking to our heads.
Today, paul strips it down,showing how easy it is to cling
(17:01):
to spiritual to-do lists insteadof true change.
But he lifts our gaze to arighteousness that leans on
Christ, not self, worshipsthrough the Spirit and brags on
Jesus, not us.
This isn't about earning God'slove, it's grabbing it, letting
it sink in and living it out.
Saul, judas, cain, pharaoh theirfailures aren't just cautionary
tales.
They reflect our own trips andreveal a grace that keeps coming
.
God didn't ditch them and he'snot ditching us.
It's not our rap sheet thatmatters, it's his, signed at the
(17:22):
cross, sealed at the tomb.
This lands with us now.
Where are we at?
Holding on to performance,church points, good vibes, faith
flexes, hoping it's enough, orready to let the spirit dig in,
ditch our script and grabChrist's?
That's Philippians, chapter 3,verse 3's gut punch, dumping
confidence in ourselves for asavior who changes everything,
our drives, our goals, even ourquiet battles.
(17:42):
Maybe you're listening, worn outfrom striving, sick of masks,
maybe you've chased the wrongstuff Saul's rituals, judas'
cash and it's empty.
Or maybe shame's got youcanceled by your own screw-ups,
wondering if grace runs out.
It doesn't.
Romans, chapter 5, verse 8,says but God shows his love for
us in that, while we were stillsinners, christ died for us.
That's your invitation, righthere, right now.
Never said yes to Jesus,drifted off.
(18:05):
This is it.
It's not about being perfect,it's trusting he's perfect for
you.
Let's pray, father.
Thank you for a word that showsour cracks and shines your
strength.
Thank you for grace thatdoesn't blink at our flops but
runs to us For everyone.
Tired of the act, ready for youdeeper, meet them now.
Tear down our crutches.
(18:30):
Root us in your Son, in Jesus'name, amen.
If you're at that crossroads,curious about faith, you don't
have to sort it solo.
Say yes to Jesus, trust Himwith your life.
No prep needed.
He takes you messy.
Try this, lord.
I'm a wreck, but I'm yours.
Forgive me, leave me, make menew.
No magic words, just faith.
Hit us up atthecrossroadscollectiveorg or
(18:50):
email me at jm.
At thecrossroadscollectiveorg,we'd love to pray with you, chat
it out or link you with someoneto walk alongside.
Better yet, find a churchnearby, call a pastor or tell a
Christian friend I'm ready forJesus or I need to get back.
They'll welcome you becausethat's family.
And if you're hurting,overwhelmed, sinking, feeling
like you can't keep going, don'tgo alone.
Text 988 to the SuicidePrevention Hotline or call
(19:12):
1-800-273-8255, free,confidential.
You're not too much, you're nothopeless.
God sees you, we see you.
You're not fighting solo.
Thanks for tuning in to theFaith Compass Podcast.
Until next time, may God guideyou, guard you and pull you
closer to His heart.
See you soon, god bless, thankyou.
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