"Jim -- Did you catch that show last night?
Pam -- No, I don't watch TV. I have a life.
Jim -- Really? What's that like?
Pam -- It's nice. You should get one.
Jim -- But then who will watch my television?
"
- the NBC sitcom "The Office"
Friday, March 5, 2010
I have heard it said, "God didn't die for frogs. So he was responding to our value as humans." This turns grace on its head. We are worse off than frogs. They have not sinned. They have not rebelled and treated God with the contempt of being inconsequential in their lives. God did not have to die for frogs. They aren't bad enough. We are. Our debt is so great, only a divine sacrifice could pay it.
There is only one explanation for God's sacrifice for us. It is not us. It is "the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7). It is all free. It is not a response to our worth. It is the overflow of his infinite worth. In fact, that is what divine love is in the end: a passion to enthrall undeserving sinners, at great cost, with what will make us supremely happy forever, namely, his infinite beauty.
- John Piper, Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die
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Comments on "The Overflow of His Infinite Worth":
2. Bill
- 03/05/2010 11:11 pm CST
Yes, they are so good. Our College / Young Singles homegroup is going through this book as well.
3. damien
- 03/06/2010 9:05 am CST
we (mankind) have a sneaky propensity to exalt ourselves. it is true that only scripture reveals the basis of our value in creation...being created in the image of god. francis schaeffer says that all humans have an innate sense of the value of human life, but only christians can explain why we're valuable.
on the other hand, the very book that explains our unique dignity also declares that we are desperately wicked and in need of salvation. when we think of the son of god on the cross taking our punishment, the primary thought which should come to mind is the enormity of our guilt.
the bible is the source of both supreme encouragement and damning rebuke. we can't have one without the other.
4. Riley
- 03/06/2010 1:50 pm CST
What a great book. Wow. The Gospel becomes more wonderfully beautiful when it is more deeply two-fold. God's holiness... man's depravity... Amazing Grace!
6. Cara
- 03/07/2010 1:11 pm CST
I really like the quotes by Pascal and Schaeffer. This fits very nicely with the sermon from this morning's service. The wisdom of the Cross is foolishness to the world - why would God give Himself for someone as wicked as I am unless, by virtue of being His own creation and that alone, I was also of infinite value.
There is so much to think on in Scripture, but the main thrust of it is that He is Love, He is Wonderful, He is Glorious and because He is, I exist. I exist to worship Him, and He, in His love, allows me to enjoy His presence.
God is good!
7. Nightturkey
- 03/21/2010 6:27 am CDT
Over and over one hears the lament (often from teens) "I feel so unworthy". The proper response is that we ARE unworthy - and it doesn't matter, because our worthiness or unworthiness isn't the point. God loves us because He is love. God saves us because He is salvation. It's all about Him.
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I'm reading this book with a group right now. What good meditations Piper wrote.