The Dialog

How do you hold real conviction and still love the people who disagree with you? I've told people "I'm just telling you the truth" a million times. A lot of the time it meant I didn't feel like caring about their feelings that day.

My co-host Nick Surface and I start with hot-button issues and the question under all of them: which ones are principles, and which are preferences? Then Nick asks the harder one. When you're divided on principle, what does love look like?

What does it mean that Jesus came with grace and truth?
It's by grace that we're saved (Ephesians 2:8), and the truth sets us free (John 8:32). You need both. Love is the balance between them.

Is "I'm just being honest" the same as love?
Usually not. Being blunt helps the people who know I care about them. Everyone else feels criticized and judged, and they stop listening.

What did God show Moses when he asked to see His glory?
His goodness (Exodus 33:19). God described Himself first as "the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness" (Exodus 34:6, NIV). So how do we show that goodness to people we disagree with?

How do you change a culture you don't like?
Start with yourself. You won't reproduce what you believe. You'll reproduce how you live.

Scriptures
John 1:14 · Ephesians 2:8 · John 8:32 · Romans 2:4 · Matthew 5:14-16 · Genesis 29 · Exodus 33:18-19 · Exodus 34:6-7 · 1 Peter 2:9-10 · Numbers 14

People and writings
Billy Graham: God judges, the Holy Spirit convicts, we love
R.T. Kendall: whose approval are you after?
Dennis Waitley: how you see yourself
Hippolytus: how the early church ran

Chapters
0:00 Cold open and show intro
0:53 Which issues are principles, not preferences?
2:42 What God recognizes vs. what a government recognizes
4:38 How did Jacob marry the wrong bride?
9:43 A secure identity doesn't need outside approval
11:40 "Was that okay?" Getting off stage insecure
14:22 How do you love people you differ with on principle?
16:29 Jesus came with grace and truth
17:54 God judges, the Spirit convicts, we love
19:15 "I'm just being honest," or just unfiltered?
21:55 Why you need both grace and truth
24:50 How the early church ran
28:17 "Show me your glory" (Exodus 33-34)
29:20 Has anyone been ranted into life change?
31:41 Moses stands in the gap
33:17 Nice or kind?
34:54 You reproduce how you live
37:42 Teach what you know, produce what you are

Previous: 1.21 / What did your opinion cost you?
Next: 1.23 / Where did your beliefs about money come from?

New episodes most weeks.
Follow Nick on IG / https://www.instagram.com/nicksurface1/
Follow me on IG / https://www.instagram.com/joshuakcraft/
Go to my website / https://jkc.is

What is The Dialog?

Ancient philosophers used the dialog to find answers to life’s greatest questions. The Dialog is a search for truth in modern life through the lens of ancient philosophy, history, and theology. This podcast will challenge your assumptions, change your thinking and show you how to master modern living.