Episode 932
Navigating Inner Conflict: Liberation Through Faith
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
- Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
- Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
- A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
- A prayer for your day.
A companion resource to the Voice of God Daily Podcast is the “ABC Bible Study Guide” available by clicking HERE.
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Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
The discourse presented within this podcast episode delves into the intricate themes of inner conflict and the quest for liberation, as articulated through a progressive interpretation of Romans 7, 14, and 25. The speaker, Dr. Brad Miller, invites listeners to engage with the text not merely as a historical artifact, but as a living document that resonates with the contemporary struggles faced by individuals navigating the complexities of morality and personal intention against the backdrop of systemic injustices. This examination highlights the paradox inherent in the human condition, wherein one may ardently desire to adhere to divine commandments yet find oneself ensnared in the web of sin and contradiction. The episode eloquently underscores the necessity of divine intervention, positing that through Jesus Christ, individuals can find not only solace but also a pathway to genuine transformation amid their internal battles.
Takeaways:
- This podcast elucidates the profound inner conflict experienced by individuals striving to align their actions with their moral convictions.
- A progressive interpretation of Romans emphasizes the systemic injustices that contribute to personal struggles, urging listeners to reflect on their complicity.
- The discourse on transformation underscores that personal growth is a continuous journey, rather than a definitive endpoint, fostering a sense of community.
- Self-compassion is vital; individuals are encouraged to approach their contradictions with curiosity and grace, facilitating meaningful dialogue with trusted companions.
- This episode advocates for collective action and community support as essential for liberation, highlighting the interconnectedness of our journeys.
- The importance of acknowledging our internal contradictions is emphasized as a critical first step towards personal and communal transformation.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddaily.com
- Voice of God Daily
Transcript
Inner conflict and liberation.
Speaker A:A progressive reading of Romans 7, 14, 25 on the Daily Bible refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Hello good people, my name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller here with you on the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:A daily reading from a progressive perspective of the New Testament.
Speaker A:We use a Revised Common Lectionary to give you the reading for this very day.
Speaker A:We're in year C of a three year cycle.
Speaker A:We are in the Pentecost season.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com that's the home of our daily Bible Study resource, the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.
Speaker A:We make the reading of the New Testament understandable.
Speaker A:We read from the message relatable.
Speaker A:We give you some points to ponder applicable.
Speaker A:We give you an action step to take.
Speaker A:We have a prayer.
Speaker A:We do all that in under 10 minutes.
Speaker A: lionaires a million people by: Speaker A:Please join us.
Speaker A:Here's our reading for the day from Romans 7, 14, 25.
Speaker A:From the message I can anticipate the response that is coming.
Speaker A:I know that all God's commands are spiritual, but I'm not.
Speaker A:Isn't this also your experience?
Speaker A:Yes.
Speaker A:I'm full of myself.
Speaker A:After all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison.
Speaker A:What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise.
Speaker A:So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary, but I need something more.
Speaker A:For I know the law, but I still can't keep it.
Speaker A:And if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help.
Speaker A:I realize that I don't have what it takes.
Speaker A:I can will it, but I can't do it.
Speaker A:I decide to do good, but I don't really do it.
Speaker A:I decide to not do bad, but then I do it anyway.
Speaker A:My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions.
Speaker A:Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
Speaker A:It happens so regularly that it is predictable.
Speaker A:The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up.
Speaker A:I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight.
Speaker A:Parts of me covertly rebel and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
Speaker A:I've tried everything and nothing helps.
Speaker A:I'm at the end of my rope, is There no one who can do anything for me.
Speaker A:Isn't that the real question?
Speaker A:The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does.
Speaker A:He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but I'm pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.
Speaker A:Wow.
Speaker A:This is a story for, for me and for so many of us where Paul is really honest about the inner conflict that's going on here, about the wrestling that takes place, the inner struggle and, and the transformation that that can lead to and, and what this means for our own journeys for growth and change.
Speaker A:Let me offer you, offer you some points to ponder.
Speaker A:The one.
Speaker A:The first one is about going beyond individual sin.
Speaker A:While Paul speaks of a personal struggle, progressive Christianity sees this text as more than just an individual moral failing.
Speaker A:The internal conflict often reflects our participation in systematic injustice, which we may recognize as systematic racism, environmental destruction or economic inequality as wrong, yet find ourselves somehow complicit in these systems in spite of good intentions.
Speaker A:The second point to ponder is the myth of perfect progress.
Speaker A:Paul's raw honesty about his struggles challenges toxic positivity and perfectionism in religious spaces.
Speaker A:This isn't about a moral failure, but about embracing our humanity and understanding that transformation is a process, not a destination.
Speaker A:Growth happens in community, not in isolation.
Speaker A:A third point, liberation through compassion.
Speaker A:When Paul asks who will rescue me, the answer isn't about individual salvation, but about connection to something larger than ourselves.
Speaker A:In progressive faith, this rescue comes through community support, collective action and the recognition that we're all bound together in the work of liberation.
Speaker A:Let's talk about an action step.
Speaker A:Practice self compassion.
Speaker A:While examining an area where your actions don't align with your values.
Speaker A:Give yourself some grace rather than self judgment.
Speaker A:Approach it with curiosity.
Speaker A:Share your struggle with a trusted friend or community member or perhaps your pastor.
Speaker A:Remember, naming our contradictions is the first step toward transformation.
Speaker A:We'll come back with a closing prayer in just a minute, but just a reminder that we've got a great resource just for you.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:It's just a point by point process to help you with your at home Bible study practices.
Speaker A:You pick it up and at our website voiceofgoddaily.com there's several places there on the website and in the show notes and you can do just that.
Speaker A:Let's pray.
Speaker A:Oh God, you're the divine source of grace.
Speaker A:When we feel torn between what we know is right and what we find ourselves doing, help us be gentle with ourselves when systems of oppression seem too big to change and we feel complicit despite our best intentions.
Speaker A:Remind us that transformation is a journey, not a destination.
Speaker A:Give us courage to name our struggles, wisdom to seek support when needed, and trust that your love holds us, even in our contradictions, in honesty and hope.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Well, it is great to be with you here on Voice of God Daily.
Speaker A:Thank you for joining me.
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Speaker A: ionaires, a million people by: Speaker A:You're a part of it.
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Speaker A:We're here every day.
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Speaker A:I'll see you again tomorrow.
Speaker A:My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, is created new every morning.
