Podcast Summary: The Daily Blade #23 - Joby Martin // Understanding Righteousness

Release Date: January 31, 2025

In episode #23 of The Daily Blade, hosts Pastor Joby Martin of the Church of Eleven22 and Kyle Thompson of Undaunted.Life delve deep into the theological concept of righteousness, drawing extensively from Romans 3 to elucidate how believers can attain and live in true righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ.

1. Introduction to Righteousness

The episode opens with Pastor Joby Martin setting the foundation by emphasizing the inescapable truth that "none is righteous, not even one" ([00:20]). He underscores the futility of attempting to achieve righteousness through the works of the law, asserting that "it's not what you do for God, but what he has done for you at the cross of Jesus Christ." This pivotal shift from self-effort to divine provision forms the crux of the discussion.

2. The Role of Propitiation in Divine Righteousness

Joby delves into Romans 3:25, focusing on the term "propitiation." He explains that "propitiation means a payment that satisfies," highlighting that Jesus' sacrifice was the ultimate payment to satisfy God's justice ([00:20]). By referring to Jesus as "the propitiation by his blood," Joby emphasizes that Christ's death fully "satisfied the law of God, the justice of God, the wrath of God." This act not only appeased divine justice but also demonstrated God's righteousness.

3. Balancing Justice and Mercy

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the balance between God's justice and mercy. Joby articulates that "all sin must be paid for" because "God is just." He uses a poignant analogy to illustrate this point:

"Imagine if somebody sinned against your loved one... if that judge overlooks the sin, you would see them as unjust." ([00:20])

This analogy serves to clarify why God cannot simply overlook sin without compromising His just nature. However, Joby also highlights God's "divine forbearance" and "mercy," explaining that "God delayed the payment for sin" to allow humanity a chance for redemption ([00:20]). This delay is what makes it possible for believers to experience salvation today.

4. The Assurance of Justification Through Faith

Building on the foundation of propitiation, Joby explains that God's actions aim to "show his righteousness at the present time so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." In simpler terms, through faith in Jesus, believers are justified—declared righteous—because "the righteousness of Christ has been imputed to you." This means that despite human flaws and sins, believers are viewed as righteous in God's eyes solely based on Jesus' sacrifice.

Joby reinforces this by referencing the profound declaration during Jesus' baptism:

"When Jesus was baptized... God the Father says out loud about his son, 'Behold my son, in whom I am well pleased.'" ([00:20])

He points out that at that moment, Jesus had not yet performed any of His miraculous works, emphasizing that God's approval is based on His inherent righteousness, not on human achievements.

5. Changing Our Perspective on Divine Satisfaction

One of the most impactful segments of the episode addresses common misconceptions about God's view of humanity. Joby cites A.W. Tozer, stating:

"The most important thing about you is what you think when you think about God." ([00:20])

He challenges listeners who believe God is "frustrated with you" due to human shortcomings. Instead, Joby assures that "if you are in Christ, then God is not dissatisfied in you." This assurance stems from the fact that "the righteousness of Christ has been imputed to you," meaning God sees believers through the lens of Christ's perfect righteousness, not their imperfections.

6. Illustrations of Righteousness in Action

To further cement his points, Joby employs vivid illustrations:

• The Prodigal Son: He compares believers to the prodigal son, stating that just as the father "wraps the robe of righteousness" around his returning son, God covers believers with Christ's righteousness ([00:20]).

• The Breastplate of Righteousness: Using the metaphor of a Roman breastplate, Joby explains that when believers "put on the breastplate of righteousness," they see the "perfect pecs and abs" of their spiritual armor, not their underlying flaws ([00:20]).

These illustrations serve to visually and conceptually reinforce the transformative power of Christ's righteousness in a believer's life.

7. Living in the Assurance of God's Pleasure

Concluding his theological exposition, Joby exhorts listeners to "live that way," emphasizing the transformative impact of understanding and accepting Christ's propitiation. By internalizing that "God is pleased in you" through Christ, believers are empowered to live confidently and without fear of divine dissatisfaction, regardless of their imperfections.

Conclusion and Final Encouragement

As the episode wraps up, both Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson encourage listeners to share the podcast and leave positive reviews to "help, equip other men for the fight." The overarching message is one of empowerment through understanding divine righteousness, ensuring that believers live out their faith with confidence and assurance in God's justice and mercy.

Notable Quotes:

• Joby Martin ([00:20]):
  "None is righteous, not even one."

• Joby Martin ([00:20]):
  "If you are in Christ, then God is not dissatisfied in you."

• Joby Martin ([00:20]):
  "When Jesus was baptized... 'Behold my son, in whom I am well pleased.'"

• Joby Martin ([00:20]):
  "Let me tell you why this matters. If you understand that Christ is the propitiation for your sin, how it will change everything about your whole life."

This episode serves as a profound exploration of righteousness, urging believers to anchor their understanding and assurance in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Through theological depth and relatable analogies, Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson equip listeners to live out their faith with renewed confidence and clarity.