Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. - Romans 5

Monday, October 27, 2014

To overcome the greatest sin - idolatry (lists are fun)

You can idolize video games,
You can idolize sports,
You can idolize exercise,
You can idolize laziness,
You can idolize your Iphone,
You can idolize a TV show,
You can idolize anime,
You can idolize your clothes,
You can idolize culture,
You can idolize an activist movement,
You can idolize grades,
You can idolize your fantasies,
You can idolize your career,
You can idolize the future,
You can idolize the past,
You can idolize sex,
You can idolize relationships,
You can idolize friendships,
You can idolize your spouse,
You can idolize yourself (pride),
You can idolize looks,
You can idolize your sexuality,
You can idolize people,
You can idolize your nationality/country,
You can idolize feelings,
You can idolize fellowship,
You can idolize songs,
You can even idolize worship for the sake of worship,
But you cannot idolize God

"What is sin?
It is the glory of God not honored.
The holiness of God not reverenced.
The greatness of God not admired.
The power of God not praised.
The truth of God not sought.
The wisdom of God not esteemed.
The beauty of God not treasured.
The goodness of God not savored.
The faithfulness of God not trusted.
The commandments of God not obeyed.
The justice of God not respected.
The wrath of God not feared.
The grace of God not cherished.
The presence of God not prized.
The person of God not loved.
That is sin.”
 - John Piper

“If you are ever going to be an ambassador in the hands of a God of glorious and powerful grace, you must die.
You must die to your plans for your own life.
You must die to your self-focused dreams of success.
You must die to your demands for comfort and ease.
You must die to your individual definition of the good life.
You must die to your demands for pleasure, acclaim, prominence and respect.
You must die to your desire to be in control.
You must die to your hope for independent righteousness.
You must die to your plans for others.
You must die to your craving for a certain lifestyle or that particular location.
You must die to your own kingship.
You must die to the pursuit of your own glory in order to take up the cause of the glory of Another.
You must die to your control over your own time.
You must die to your maintenance of your reputation.
You must die to having the final answer and getting your own way.
You must die to your unfaltering confidence in you.
You must die.”
- Paul Tripp

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