The apostle Paul tells Christians to submit to their governing authorities — but are there exceptions? And what does that submission look like? In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry dig into these questions and more, considering God’s providence, the function of the government, what characterizes Christian dissent, and how we can prepare our hearts for election season.

Recommended resources:

• You're Not Crazy: Gospel Sanity for Weary Churches by Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry (Crossway)

When the apostle Paul warns Christians not to be overcome by evil (Rom. 12:21), he knows it will be difficult. Nonetheless, he challenges us to believe that God is at work in redemptive reversals. In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, Sam Allberry and Ray Ortlund unpack the difficulty of death to self and consider how it looks to entrust ourselves to the Lord even as we face evil and wrongdoing. And they once again commend the beauty of gospel culture, where pastors and church communities “give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all” (Rom. 12:17).

Recommended resource:

• The Heart of Jesus: How He Really Feels about You by Dane Ortlund (Crossway)

What marks genuine Christian love? The apostle Paul lays out an extensive list in Romans 12:9–21. In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry examine how Paul’s commands are meant to hold together as part of an integrated ecosystem that makes up the Christian life. They consider the humility and vulnerability required to give and receive genuine affection, and they challenge pastors and congregants to cultivate countercultural communities marked by gospel hope.

Recommended resource:

• Saved: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Acts by Nancy Guthrie (Crossway)