Monday, September 5, 2011

God Is The Gospel

"Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savoring God. And people who would be happy in heaven if Christ were not there, will not be there. The gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is a way to get people to God. It's a way of overcoming every obstacle to everlasting joy in God. If we don't want God above all things, we have not been converted by the gospel." John Piper from God is The Gospel

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

No offense, but this book does, from the description, describe the Gospel in an accurate light....

Anonymous said...

In fact, I would say that first line is theological garbage...!! And evidence of someone who does not understand or know the depths of their own sinfulness and depravity!! God Bless!

Ron Reffett said...

Hi there Alice, not sure I follow what you're trying to say. I think that Piper's point is that Christ didn't die just to give us a selfish and self centered existence, which a lot of folks actually preach that. That Jesus died so that your life can be great, super, and everything is going to work out. Piper is merely saying that Christ's death goes much deeper than that, because we are worse off than we think that we are, but because of Christ we are more loved than we can imagine. Piper is also saying that most people are more in love with the blessings of God than they are in love with God himself, which is idolatry. I'm glad that you stopped by and I appreciate your comments.
Blessings
Ron Reffett

Anonymous said...

Hey Ron, I apologize for my earlier cantor....I wasn't being very gracious myself. For some reason the quote does not sit right with me, but I would, and should, read the entire book before I make my own judgements. I agree with what you stated. Have you ever read anything by Tullian Tchividjian? He very eloquently describes the essence of the Gospel message.....amazingly, I posted it and within one week went from 20 followers to over 300 followers. I have realized the power of the Gospel, in all it's truth and simplicity, really resonates with the human heart/soul. Most of my followers are unbelievers ~ but for some reason they follow my blog. I would say even after believing in Christ, the Gospel message is a daily lived experience. Piper's quote still seems focused on "man" making the effort to seek God, or to better himself. This quote seems very "man" focused and a bit arrogant. In my own life I have realized I am completely incapable of any of changing myself or even seeking God, or "breaking" my heart....this has been the work of God....I am HIS workmanship, and I would never, never, never take any credit for any desire I have for the Lord, I know my true self, and I am very skeptical of people who claim they are the "right" Christian and their way is the "right" way. So, we all are selfish, and selfishly seeking the wrong things, even after being "saved" because we are in a process of being sanctified. I am very leery of books, pastors, teachers who piously claim it is "us" who seek God or change ourselves.....wouldn't want to walk around with that pious attitude, because I have in the past, and God quickly shows me, I did not save myself, He saved me and continues to save me from myself. But, as I stated earlier, I would have to read the book in its entirety....maybe this quote would make better since in context of the entire book! Many blessings!! ~ alice

Anonymous said...

Hi there Ron...I was just doing some research on John Piper and my initial reaction was correct....He is NOT preaching the truth of the Gospel or the Word of God...He is adding faith + works as means to grace....THIS IS NOT TRUTH! I would encourage you to really research what it is this man is teaching....His is mixing truth with his own verbage....and it is WRONG and misleading! As I stated before WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE....WE ARE ALL A WORK OF JESUS....BY SANCTIFICATION. We cannot fully understand the depths of God's wisdom, power or the way He works, but His Word is clear....savation by FAITH alone....It is Christ who is at work in us, to even give us a desire to be like Him. Any focus on MY efforts is NOT the Gospel....that is NOT the truth. Many blessings ~ alice PS ~ my initial reaction was correct....this is theologically not accurate....and this book is not in line with scripture.

Ron Reffett said...

Hi again Alice, I guess I'm not seeing where Piper is preaching faith + works as a means to grace, in fact all of the teachings and things that I have read by John Piper seem to say the opposite. I'm curious as to where you found that information, I believe that John Piper does indeed preach the gospel, I definitely don't agree with everything that he has done or said here as of late, especially with his recent alignment with Rick Warren but I believe that Piper is a brother in the Lord. I have heard and absolutely love Tullian Tchvidjian, his works have blessed me greatly and I am definitely looking forward to reading "Jesus plus Nothing Equals Everything" when it comes out. I don't mean to seem dense or difficult so please forgive me if I seem that way, I just don't see what you are stating about John Piper. Give me some examples of what you have found of him preaching a works based righteousness. Because I totally agree with you in the sense that there is absolutely nothing in any of us that seeks after God, Romans 3 lays that out for us very clearly, there are none who seek after God...NONE! the only reason any of us have an inkling of who God is, is because He has pursued us. I definitely don't mean to seem argumentative, I just would like to know what your sources are for the information.
Blessings
Ron