Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Piper on the word Believe
He says, "Faith is the consequence, not the cause, of the new birth."
Would love to know your thoughts.
But before you answer, either by email or comment, understand that only God can give life to a dead heart. I think we would all agree with that.
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 1 John 5:1
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2 comments:
i believe the background of 1st john deals with gnostics who thought they were a chosen group.they felt that their salvation was a result of their superior knowledge and a mystical revelation from god.many of the gnostics taught that jesus wasn't god.many in the church at ephesis after hearing the claims of the gnostics( knowing that they were a wise bunch) could have questioned whether they themselves were truly born again.john writes to encourage them and says one indication of your legitimacy is that you believe in the divinity of christ.that believe either preceded or was concurent with their being brought into gods family.
i believe pipers example ignores mans free will.god respects the freedom of choice he gave to his creatures.there are no conditions for gods giving salvation but there is one condition for recieving it(faith).matt.23:37 jesus speaking-o jerusalem,jerusalem the one who kills the prophets and stone those who are sent to her.how often i wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings but you were not willing.god could do it as piper describes and force rebirth on on all he chooses to. instead he has chosen rebirth be limited to those who believe.
Lynn,
Great comments and I agree with much of what you said.
But I think Piper and Stott are thinking about why one believes who never had a desire to believe in the first place.
For instance, why do some respond to the Gospel and others don't. Or why do some come under conviction and others don't.
I personally don't think John ignores man's free will as much you might think. Because we always choose what we desire. Someone outside of us has to change the desires in us. We can't do that. I guess this is where the mystery and the controversy lies.
But great comments. Love your thoughts. Keep them coming.
Love ya brother..
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