John Piper has a book out called "Taste and See, Savoring the Supremacy of God." The book is a collection of meditations. I have been using the book lately to begin my day and think about a facet of the beauty of God. The other day I read one that was brilliant. The entry was a list of resolutions that a professor of Piper's shared with his students a long time ago. Here is a sample from the list that struck me::
I shall not fall into the falsehood that this day, or any day, is merely another ambigous and plodding 24 hours, but rather a unique event, filled, if I so wish, with worthy potentialties. I shall not be fool enough to suppose that trouble and pain are wholly evil parentheses in my existence, but just as likely ladders to be climbed toward moral and spiritual manhood.
In light of talking about spiritual warfare and the battle that is raging I thought this was entirely appropriate. Let me know what you think
The gospel vs Religion
I have been talking alot, both in conversation and while preaching about the gospel versus religion. I bumped into what appears below on the subject that was written by Mark Driscoll. Do me a favor and read it and enjoy it and do your best to have conversations about what the gospel is and what it isn't and about how Jesus was not a fan of religion or religious people.
The Difference between Religion and the Gospel
By Pastor Mark Driscoll
Religion says, if I obey, God will love me. Gospel says, because God loves me, I can obey.
Religion has good people & bad people. Gospel has only repentant and unrepentant people.
Religion values a birth family. Gospel values a new birth.
Religion depends on what I do. Gospel depends on what Jesus has done.
Religion claims that sanctification justifies me. Gospel claims that justification enables sanctification.
Religion has the goal to get from God. Gospel has the goal to get God.
Religion sees hardships as punishment for sin. Gospel sees hardship as sanctified affliction.
Religion is about me. Gospel is about Jesus.
Religion believes appearing as a good person is the key. Gospel believes that being honest is the key.
Religion has an uncertainty of standing before God. Gospel has certainty based upon Jesus' work.
Religion sees Jesus as the means. Gospel sees Jesus as the end.
Religion ends in pride or despair. Gospel ends in humble joy.
The Difference between Religion and the Gospel
By Pastor Mark Driscoll
Religion says, if I obey, God will love me. Gospel says, because God loves me, I can obey.
Religion has good people & bad people. Gospel has only repentant and unrepentant people.
Religion values a birth family. Gospel values a new birth.
Religion depends on what I do. Gospel depends on what Jesus has done.
Religion claims that sanctification justifies me. Gospel claims that justification enables sanctification.
Religion has the goal to get from God. Gospel has the goal to get God.
Religion sees hardships as punishment for sin. Gospel sees hardship as sanctified affliction.
Religion is about me. Gospel is about Jesus.
Religion believes appearing as a good person is the key. Gospel believes that being honest is the key.
Religion has an uncertainty of standing before God. Gospel has certainty based upon Jesus' work.
Religion sees Jesus as the means. Gospel sees Jesus as the end.
Religion ends in pride or despair. Gospel ends in humble joy.
