Sin, Hope, and Redemption (Episode 34)

In this episode, I discuss the themes of sin, hope, and change through the lens of Christian faith. I highlight the lifelong process of sanctification and transformation, using the example of Daryl Davis and his work with ex-KKK members to illustrate how individuals can change and find hope. This conversation emphasizes the importance of acknowledging sin, the role of hope in the process of change, and the transformative power of grace in the Christian faith.

JRE #2399: https://youtu.be/HwpYMYnAsz4?si=6W0IHEkSLvvWQwOh

Daryl Davis Website: https://www.daryldavis.com/

Klan-destine Relationships: https://www.wonderbk.com/shop/product/1750421-klan-destine-relationships?srsltid=AfmBOopyp-ebsBtXa_3EkDOap25I740E6u2EIxQNo6bkVQNExtBIrsc4

Accidental Courtesy: Daryl Davis, Race, & America: https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Courtesy-Daryl-Davis-America/dp/B07Z198CBP

Podcast YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CarryYourCrossStudios

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Podcast X: https://x.com/pespinoza_cyc?s=21&t=vzzEhA-487cZL4Idn_YHAQ

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Sin, Hope, and Change
• 5:50 Understanding Sin and Its Consequences
• 8:15 The Hope Found in Christ
• 11:37 The Process of Change and Transformation
• 13:03 Key Takeaways and Conclusion

Transcript

What's going on everyone? Welcome back to Carry Your Cross with your host, Pedro Espinosa.

Be sure to subscribe to my audio podcast episodes my podcast is listed on all major podcast platforms. So go and check it out. Subscribe today. I want to bring our attention to the process of sin, hope and change. A lot of people start at rock bottom, which causes them to fall even deeper into sin. But there is this process of sanctification where

It is a lifelong process for a Christian that eventually leads into glorification. But I want to highlight what that process looks from a sinner's perspective, And with that said, we're going to look into gentleman the name of Daryl Davis. He has done a lot of work with ex KKK members.

And recently he appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience. It's episode 2399 for those who are interested in watching. Well, on this episode, he actually had a now friend of his who was actually an ex-Clan member. And this person's name is Jeff Shoep or Scoop. I'm not sure if I'm pronouncing that right, but

his friend Jeff shares his experiences in clan and his with Daryl that eventually led to his deconversion of the KKK group. So that's sort of the background of this episode. And I'm going to use that example to explain and demonstrate the process of sin, and change.

because anybody, no matter how much of a wretched sinner you are, can do exactly that. So just a little bit about Daryl Davis. He is an American R and blues artist, and he is an activist. And I think most importantly, he is a Christian. believe without having background,

you don't accomplish as much work as Darryl has with his line of work. ⁓ He's known not only for his prowess, but he's also known for deconverting KKK members and having them denounce that life. he has a book called Clan Destined Relationships. He also has a film documentary

accidental courtesy. So for more information and knowledge about who he is, I encourage you to look into those sources. I will have those linked in my description as well as his So definitely look into those sources. I believe it would be very beneficial.

that in mind as you listen to this video coming up.

He shares his heart and strategy and his approach with deconverting these individuals, even though he explicitly says that his goal is not to deconvert initially, but he shares his heart behind it and his patience in this approach. check it out.

So as you can see, his heart is not necessarily to deconvert these individuals, but to share the love of Christ with him, even though he doesn't explicitly come out and say that. As a Christian, his heart is meet people in their darkest moments at their most shallow time.

let's start with sin.

Sin is not a scary word, but it's an honest one.

The Bible tells us in Romans 3 23, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Sin isn't just breaking God's rules. It's breaking relationship with him. It's turning away from the one who made us for himself.

From the very beginning with Adam and Eve in Genesis three, we see humanity choosing independence over intimacy. They wanted life on their own terms and we do the same. perhaps one of the clearest pictures of sin and grace comes from Jesus' story of the prodigal son. is in Luke quick breakdown of the prodigal son story.

A young man demands his inheritance early, basically saying to his father, I'd rather have your things than you. He leaves home, wastes everything in reckless living, and ends up broke, hungry, and a pig pen.

And that's what sin does. It promises freedom, but delivers emptiness.

Yet here's the turning point. The Son came to his senses. He realized he'd traded love for loneliness and decided to go home. And while he was still far off, says,

His father saw him and was filled with compassion for him. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. That's the heart of God. Even when we've turned away, he's watching the road, waiting for us to come home. So when we talk about sin, we're not talking about how bad we are, we're talking about how much God wants us back.

Sin separates, but God seeks. So this is the visual example of what Daryl was talking about in that clip.

And if sin is our failure, then God is our hope. In Romans 5, 8, it states, God demonstrates his own love for us in this. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. And so how many of you guys know somebody who is deep in sin, who has not given their lives to Christ, who has not even decided to repent or about that?

But you know that...

If they can be loved unconditionally, then they would be willing to turn back run back to the father and follow Christ. And there's many people out there like this. The world is broken. The world is fallen because we live in a fallen nature. And as long as we're operating in love, not judgments, then we can win many

souls to Christ and that is actually our objective.

So let me offer this idea. Hope isn't wishful thinking. a real event. Jesus' death and resurrection.

He didn't wait for us to fix ourselves and by he I mean Jesus. He came into our brokenness to bring us back to life. 1 Peter 1

calls it a living hope, not a fading one. In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

That means no matter how far you've wandered, like the prodigal son, there's always a road back home and the father is already running toward you.

You just have to accept his invitation.

Look at Saul's transformation. On the road to Damascus, he had a dramatic encounter.

with Jesus. He was confronted by a blinding light and a voice from heaven, which was the resurrected Jesus.

And this changed the persecutor Saul into the Apostle Paul, showing how even a person with a troubled past can be radically transformed.

So those struggling with sin and for those are in a dark place and you feel like you've been hardened to the point of no return, look at the story of Saul's transformation. He was once a person who persecuted Christians, who beheaded them, who tortured them, who sent them to prison. But because of his radical experience with Jesus,

He went from a persecutor to a disciple of Christ to where he then proclaimed the gospel, spread it on ship, on foot, traveled to many areas in the region and shared the word of Christ. And eventually he was martyred for his faith. So you take this example and you apply it to your own life.

to others who you believe are in a dark place. And by this, you know that there's hope and that anybody can change, which is third and final part of my video.

And what happens when we experience that hope? We change.

2 Corinthians 5 17 says, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, the old has gone, the new is here.

Real change isn't trying harder. It's about trusting deeper.

When we invite the Holy Spirit to reshape our hearts, He begins the slow, steady work of transformation.

Let's think about Peter, the disciple who denied Jesus three times. He went from fear to bold faith after meeting the risen Lord.

And that's what grace does.

It doesn't just forgive us, it empowers us.

Philippians 1 6 reminds us

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ. And this was Paul's message to the Church of Philippi.

So if you're still struggling, take heart

because God hasn't finished your story.

So as you can see, there's this process of sanctification, which is a lifelong process, but anybody can start from nothing, start from sin and have an encounter with Jesus so long as they believe and live out the rest of their days fulfilling his purpose and his will.

So just some quick takeaways from content so far and wrap things up. Acknowledge the sin, but don't camp there. Confession is not condemnation, it's the doorway to grace. John 1.9 promises that when we confess, God is faithful to forgive.

Anchor yourself in hope. Hope grows in the soil of truth. Read scripture daily, the promises of God's mercy and redemption.

Allow the Spirit lead change.

Transformation isn't about perfection, about surrender.

pray, Lord, change what I can't.

The story of sin is the story of wandering.

The story of hope is the Father running to meet us.

And the story of change is the embrace. When grace makes us new.

So let's pray. Father, thank you that even when we stray, you never stop watching the road for our Thank you for the hope we have in Jesus, hope that forgives, restores, and transforms. Help us to walk in the freedom of your love one step at a time. In Jesus' name, amen.

I hope this offers some relief and some hope for who are watching in this life. We will face many challenges and trials, but it is our hope and faith in Jesus Christ that we will make it out of those challenges.

Hit that like button, comment your thoughts so that this video hits the algorithm and let's reach more souls and bring them to Christ. Thank you everyone for listening and until next time, take care of yourself.

and take care of each other. Bye.