Sun, Oct 18, 2009
To the Priase of the Glory of His Grace
Recently I was listening to this message by Pastor John Piper and the following is an excerpt of his message:
God’s Ultimate Purpose
Ephesians 1:4–6 takes us from eternity past to eternity future—from the cause of all things to the goal of all things. I am especially interested in the goal of all things. Why has God created the universe, permitted the Fall, planned redemption, sent his Son, founded the church, guided history? Here is his answer:
God chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace.
This is the most ultimate statement in the book of Ephesians. The reason for election. The reason for holiness and blamelessness. The reason for predestination and adoption. The reason for bringing all this to pass “through Jesus Christ” is “to the praise of the glory of his grace.” (That is a more literal translation than “to the praise of his glorious grace.”)
Made to Praise the Glory of His Grace
God has done everything with a view to one great end—namely, that the glory of his grace should be praised by innumerable redeemed human beings. You, and everybody you counsel, were made by God to praise him. More specifically, you were made to praise his glory. And more specific yet, you were made to praise the glory of his grace.
He says it two more times in this chapter. Verse 12: “So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.” So this is why we exist: We exist to praise the glory of God. Then verse 14: “The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Our final inheritance is this: that we will see the glory of God and praise him for it. We will see his glory, savor his glory, and show his glory
The statement “You, and everybody you counsel, were made by God to praise him. More specifically, you were made to praise his glory. And more specific yet, you were made to praise the glory of His grace.” (emphasis mine), really hit home with me. I never looked at my life in this specific way. I have always thought of myself as praising God, but never about praising His Glory nor the Glory of His grace. That is one of the greatest things I love about God, He is like a diamond, containing many facets of brilliance. Then as I thought about this statement and meditated on it this I thought to myself, it is would easy to praise the glory of His grace in the good times, but do I praise the Glory of His grace in the bad times. I am firm believer that our mere ability to be here on earth and in hell is grace in and of itself. Meaning, everybody saved/unsaved are recipients of God’s grace (some not salvic grace). Because if we are sinners and the punishment of sin is death in hell, then for God to allow us to not go directly to hell, that would be grace (and mercy – taking away the punishment we deserve).
As I thought about this, I remembered the following passage:
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Many people use this verse to give hope to those who are going through “tough times”; and rightly so because the following verse explains:
Romans 8:29
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
Therefore, we can conclude those “tough times” are God’s grace. But do we really live like that? Do we really seek to praise the Glory of His Grace when we lose a child a parent or get sick with cancer? I would say that it is in those times that is “do or die” time. It is in those times, when living the gospel really counts. We can all live the gospel when things are good, but to depend and lean on God in faith that Him allowing us to have such tragedy in our lives happen…is when we praise the glory of His grace; and in that, God is blessed.
All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved
Judson
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God’s Ultimate Purpose
Ephesians 1:4–6 takes us from eternity past to eternity future—from the cause of all things to the goal of all things. I am especially interested in the goal of all things. Why has God created the universe, permitted the Fall, planned redemption, sent his Son, founded the church, guided history? Here is his answer:
God chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace.
This is the most ultimate statement in the book of Ephesians. The reason for election. The reason for holiness and blamelessness. The reason for predestination and adoption. The reason for bringing all this to pass “through Jesus Christ” is “to the praise of the glory of his grace.” (That is a more literal translation than “to the praise of his glorious grace.”)
Made to Praise the Glory of His Grace
God has done everything with a view to one great end—namely, that the glory of his grace should be praised by innumerable redeemed human beings. You, and everybody you counsel, were made by God to praise him. More specifically, you were made to praise his glory. And more specific yet, you were made to praise the glory of his grace.
He says it two more times in this chapter. Verse 12: “So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.” So this is why we exist: We exist to praise the glory of God. Then verse 14: “The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Our final inheritance is this: that we will see the glory of God and praise him for it. We will see his glory, savor his glory, and show his glory
The statement “You, and everybody you counsel, were made by God to praise him. More specifically, you were made to praise his glory. And more specific yet, you were made to praise the glory of His grace.” (emphasis mine), really hit home with me. I never looked at my life in this specific way. I have always thought of myself as praising God, but never about praising His Glory nor the Glory of His grace. That is one of the greatest things I love about God, He is like a diamond, containing many facets of brilliance. Then as I thought about this statement and meditated on it this I thought to myself, it is would easy to praise the glory of His grace in the good times, but do I praise the Glory of His grace in the bad times. I am firm believer that our mere ability to be here on earth and in hell is grace in and of itself. Meaning, everybody saved/unsaved are recipients of God’s grace (some not salvic grace). Because if we are sinners and the punishment of sin is death in hell, then for God to allow us to not go directly to hell, that would be grace (and mercy – taking away the punishment we deserve).
As I thought about this, I remembered the following passage:
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Many people use this verse to give hope to those who are going through “tough times”; and rightly so because the following verse explains:
Romans 8:29
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
Therefore, we can conclude those “tough times” are God’s grace. But do we really live like that? Do we really seek to praise the Glory of His Grace when we lose a child a parent or get sick with cancer? I would say that it is in those times that is “do or die” time. It is in those times, when living the gospel really counts. We can all live the gospel when things are good, but to depend and lean on God in faith that Him allowing us to have such tragedy in our lives happen…is when we praise the glory of His grace; and in that, God is blessed.
All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved
Judson
Follow Us:
VoM|Posts - http://bit.ly/19VfUP
Twitter - http://bit.ly/2jzl0v
Facebook - http://bit.ly/1zH5MI
Tumblr - http://bit.ly/KcHOz
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