“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
Any Bible believer that sees nothing wrong with these statements is confused about the gospel. Piper, here, is essentially asserting that one is saved by the evidence or good works of conversion, but that evidence is the result of God's grace. Thus, Calvinists like him claim you are saved by God's grace.
This is what God's grace actually is:
Romans 3:21-24
"21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;22 even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus"
Romans 1:16
Reformed: The gospel is the power unto salvation for everyone ("chosen to believe" elect) who perseveres.
Bible: The gospel is the power unto salvation for everyone who believes.
The Gospel
The Gospel is that Jesus Christ, the promised Redeemer in Human flesh by being born of a virgin, yet wholly God, bore the sins of the whole world upon Himself by offering Himself as the innocent and spotless Lamb of God, sacrificed for us, appeasing the wrath of a Holy God Who cannot allow sin to dwell in His presence, thereby reconciling those of us who believe to God the Father by the blood of Jesus Christ, and saving us with His resurrected Life which He gives to us with all spiritual riches through the third person of the Triune God, the Holy Spirit sealing us until the day of complete redemption where we will be like Christ, all of us adopted sons and daughters of God, possessing a glorified body to dwell in the presence of God the Father, giving all thanks to Jesus Christ Who freely and selflessly gave Himself for us according to the will of God the Father.
This is absolutely the most important decision one will make in this lifetime. The moment one believes Christ has paid the penalty for all his sin by His death on the cross and resurrection, God gives him eternal life as a gift, no strings attached! Eternal life by definition is without ending, sealed forever within the believer by God's Holy Spirit. It cannot be lost, no matter what kind of behavior is exhibited or grievous sins are committed. All believers can have the assurance that eternal life is theirs once they put their faith in Him through what He accomplished on the cross.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine; Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
An Abused Word
The word 'repent' in the Greek language is metanoia, meaning 'to change one's mind.' I'm not sure about other states and countries, but in many churches throughout California this word has been wrongly defined. The improper definition of this word has produced many false doctrines. Many church doctrinal statements include the phrase 'repent of your sins and turn to Christ for salvation' or 'repent of your sins and commit your life to Christ to be saved.' The truth of the matter is one doesn't have to repent of his sins to turn to Christ. In fact, repenting of sins or committing one's life to Christ is not even required for salvation. Only belief is. Repentance is essential for salvation, but it is not turning from sins. The Bible does not even mention repentance in the context of turning from sin, and furthermore, the phrase 'repent of your sins' is not even found in the Bible. Repentance involves one changing his mind about salvation -- the fact that his good works cannot save and that only Christ can save him. Repentance does not require nor demand a change in behavior, but only a change of mind.
3 Characteristics of Worldliness in the Church
1 John 2:16 - "For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world."
1. Lust of the flesh - Feed whatever the flesh desires and makes the flesh feel good.
2. Lust of the eyes - The eyes are the avenue through which the flesh can lust.
3. Pride of life - Experiencing and living it up in this world because it's all about this life and not eternity.
1. Lust of the flesh - Feed whatever the flesh desires and makes the flesh feel good.
2. Lust of the eyes - The eyes are the avenue through which the flesh can lust.
3. Pride of life - Experiencing and living it up in this world because it's all about this life and not eternity.
Separation
I will not deem cool what the world deems cool, nor live and think the way the world lives and thinks. It's a difficult and lonely road, even being among Christians, but I must persevere.
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
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