Become New with John Ortberg

How does someone go from being full of condemnation… to writing, “There is now no condemnation”?

In this episode, John explores the transformation of Paul — a man driven by zeal, judgment, and certainty — who encounters the risen Jesus and sees everything differently.

Drawing on insights from What Saint Paul Really Said, John unpacks what Paul actually meant by “justification by faith” — and why it’s not about earning salvation or simply believing a doctrine.

You’ll learn:

what Paul’s zeal was really about

why “justification” means being vindicated, not just forgiven

the difference between trusting Jesus and believing about Him

how Jesus redefines who belongs

why seeing Jesus in others changes everything

As you move through your day, you’re invited into a simple but powerful practice:

“It could be the Lord.”

Because when you begin to see people that way, condemnation starts to fall away.

And there is now no condemnation.

📚 Today's Resources:
What Saint Paul Really Said — N. T. Wright
Influence from Scott McKnight
Historical scholarship from E. P. Sanders
Richard Hooker — on justification and faith
Richard Rohr — referenced practice (“It could be the Lord”)

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Music Credits:
Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0
Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

What if our biggest barrier with God isn’t sin, but politeness?

In this episode, John Ortberg explores a surprising truth from Scripture: God isn’t looking for polished prayers. He’s inviting honest relationship. Through the story of Job, we discover something shocking:

Job rages. Questions God. Speaks words that feel almost dangerous. And yet—God says Job spoke what is right. Why? Because honesty draws us closer to God while polite distance keeps Him far away.

Even Jesus cried out on the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

So if you’ve ever felt:
confused
disappointed
hurt
unsure what God is doing

You’re not alone, and you don’t have to hide it.
Today’s invitation is simple: Be real with God.
Because the path to deeper faith isn’t pretending—it’s honesty.

📚 Today's Resources:
Ellen F. Davis, Getting Involved with God
Eleonore Stump, Wandering in Darkness
Joseph Stein, Fiddler on the Roof

🙌 New episodes every weekday.
📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time.

Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.
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Music Credits:
Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0
Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

We don’t throw stones anymore.
Except… we do.

Online.
In conversations.
With a look, a tone, a pause.

In this episode, John Ortberg unpacks one of the most famous and unsettling teachings of Jesus:

“Let the one without sin cast the first stone.”

Through a powerful contrast between ancient scapegoating and the story of the woman in John 8, we see what Jesus is really doing:

Not denying sin.
Not ignoring truth.
But interrupting condemnation.

Because there is something in every human heart that wants:

someone to blame

someone to shame

someone to bring down

But Jesus offers a different way.

A way where:

truth is spoken

sin is taken seriously

but people are not crushed

The invitation today is simple—and hard:

Put down the stone.

Because the moment you release condemnation,
you make space for grace.

There is now… therefore… no condemnation.

📚 Today's Resources:
René Girard and James G. Williams, I See Satan Fall Like Lightning 

🙌 New episodes every weekday.
📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time.

Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.
TEXT US at 855-888-0444
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GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe
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Music Credits:
Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0
Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Criticism is inevitable.
Condemnation is optional.

In this episode, John Ortberg explores one of the most important distinctions for spiritual growth: how to receive criticism without absorbing condemnation.

Drawing from the life of King David, we see a man who:
Refused to take revenge when attacked
Ignored false condemnation
Yet humbly received painful truth when it mattered most

The Bible consistently teaches us:
Listen to criticism.
Learn from correction.
But do not internalize condemnation.

Because condemnation attacks your identity—
while healthy criticism can transform your life.

So what do you do when criticism comes?

Instead of getting defensive…
lean in.

“Is there anything else?”

This simple posture can turn even hard conversations into opportunities for growth.

Because when you are rooted in God’s love,
you don’t have to protect your ego—
you’re free to grow.

There is now… therefore… no condemnation.

📚 Today's Resources:
Michael B. Nichols and Martha B. Straus, The Lost Art of Listening: How Learning to Listen Can Improve Relationships 

🙌 New episodes every weekday.
📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time.

Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.
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GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe
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Music Credits:
Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0
Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO

Condemnation doesn’t start with what we say.
It starts with how we see people.

In this episode, John Ortberg explores the root of condemnation and a critical distinction that can change the way we live: observation vs. evaluation.
Drawing from insights in Nonviolent Communication, John shows how easily our minds move from simply noticing behavior to assigning judgment, criticism, or contempt. And once that shift happens, condemnation begins to grow.

Jesus addressed this problem directly in the Sermon on the Mount when he said:
“First take the plank out of your own eye.”

The real issue isn’t just our words — it’s our perception.
When we learn to see people the way Jesus sees them — as bearers of God’s image — our responses change. Curiosity replaces contempt. Love replaces judgment.

Today’s practice is simple but powerful:
As you move through your day, pause and ask:
What would Jesus see when he looks at this person?
Because when we change how we see,we change how we love.
And in Christ, there is now… therefore… no condemnation.

📚 Today's Resources:
 Marshall B. Rosenberg, Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life 
Iris Murdoch, The Sovereignty of Good 
Yoel Kahn, The Three Blessings: Boundaries, Censorship, and Identity in Jewish Liturgy
 
🙌 New episodes every weekday.
📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time.

Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.
TEXT US at 855-888-0444
EMAIL US at [email protected]

GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe
GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444
SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

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Music Credits:
Believe Me by Glass Echoes - MB01UU8HNMQ8GT0
Frost on My Window by Coldbrew - MB01IZWASF1DYPO