Monday, March 8, 2010
"The Purifying Power of Living by Faith in Future Grace-John Piper" Part 2
WELL... i realised, read too much to post. lol. really. okay anyway let me re begin on explaining the background to the book a little bit.
I briefly explained earlier what Faith and Future Grace actually mean. of course i will inevitably further explain it as i talk about the book. But here's something i really like about the book. its rather practical. Not only is it categorized very well, to explain Piper's whole belief, it has practical application chapters on how we can apply what we have learnt to sever the root of sin. and you know whats the best part? you dont have to wait till the end. HA. The book is presented in such a way where the chapters which deal with issues such as Anxiety, Pride, Misplaced Shame, Impatience, Covetousness, Bitterness Despondency and finally, Lust.
This book has really enriched me much, through the prayerful reading of this book with my open bible beside it, refering to it ever so often, (almost every 10seconds..that sorta thing!) I can only say one thing, if there's one thing this book did, it allowed me to see the gospel in a fresh way, re-experience the gospel for its richness and beauty. Oh how great the Power of the Gospel; God's power to save! Living by Faith in Future grace i would really say, is getting to know the Gospel in a deeper way, such a way that it fills you with the Joy of the Lord! And when this happens, you come to appreciate and treasure the gospel down to every morsel(and i do use morsel for a reason), and really it saddens me to know, how many people out there dont know the truth. the truth of God's Word, His Holy Wright, His Gospel, His Work! It truly showed me full well that for years now, i've been living in ignorance of the true beauty of simply what God has done, dare i say i know much i'd be lying! all that has truly occured to me, is showed me HOW MUCH I DONT KNOW! and if this is just what God has done, that has revealed a bit of who He really is, how much dare i say i know of Him! how much dare i say i know Him! and with that, i shall begin about this "rich and wise book, one to treasure and reread."-J.I Packer
PART I: GRATITUDE & FAITH
Let me begin(ha ironic) by asking a simple question. What do you think should be our motivation for obedience? What do you think should enable us to obey God? Perhaps many of you have thought Gratitude. This book begins in a very interesting way. instead of starting off in telling you how Faith in Future grace works, it starts off by exposing a common error that many people may have had, even myself when i first started off.
Just in case you have not realised gratitude isnt the answer. Why? Think of it this way. You think, you know, "God has done so much for me, surely i'm indebted to give you back!" Well, as my cell leader always says, and even i commonly say, "verse, reference?" It may shock you to know that as far as i have tried when i first read it, i know not of such a reference. No doubt gratitude IS essential in ascribing to God honour and glory(psalms 100:4, 50:23) but we should not obey God out of gratitude.
You see, you cant pay God back, or that would most definately NULLIFY GRACE! if i give you something out of goodwill, do i really expect you to pay me back some day? but if you have to, that would mean that what i gave isnt completely free! start to see where im driving at? Remember how i said for answers to all things, we should turn to scripture? what then is the biblical motive for obedience?
Faith. "How long will they not believe in Me despite all the signs which i have performed in their midst?"(psalms 14:11) The reason God gave for their disobedience was none other than a lack of Faith, Faith in what? In Him, in what He has in store for them, in the fact that He is sovereign and will provide all full well for them, Faith in Future Grace. So many other passages make this O so clear, Duet 1:31-32, Psa 78:15,17,22! These passages all show so clearly the position of Faith and Grace in respect to obedience!
I quote John Piper-"Gratitude exults in the past benefits of God and says to Faith, "Embrace more of these benefits for the future, so that my happy work of looking back on God's deliverance may continue."" No doubt in those passages, they have lacked gratitude, however Faith was the reason for their disobedience.
I end of this section with a quote once again fro John Piper-"Past Grace is glorified by intense and joyful gratitude. Future Grace is glorified by intense and joyful confidence. This faith is what empowers us for venturesome obedience." Faith in Future grace allows us to truly meet "Give thanks in all circumstances" which could be found sprinkled everywhere in the bible, as we truly believe that out of God's amazing grace, He will turn all past calamities into future comforts, causing all things to work for our good, allowing us to look back with gratitude for all things.
Grace be with you,
Aaron
came at8:00 PM
