wally’s blog

I’m currently getting stuck into “The pleasures of God” by John P. I have to say, having read several of his books, this one has moved me most thus far. I’m sure that when I come to reread previous books again, I’ll be equally shifted spiritually and theologically; but as to where I am right now, God is speaking loud and clear through this one.

Something I’ve come to admire so much of Piper is his almost blinkered, whole centered, obsession with God’s glory, and desire for having a Biblical practicing of it.

I’m becoming more convicted each day of the truth that if we as Christians could find more enjoyment in God, if we could find out satisfaction purely in Him, that is absolutely to say in scrapping TVs, game consoles, unnecessary holidays, loans, gadgets and the rest, we would become more human. We would become more satisfied, more excited, more joyful, more complete, more as we were designed to be.

A superb sermon yesterday evening looking at an introduction to prayer, considering that God promises that if we delight ourselves in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart. That’s powerful, deep stuff. God will always without hesitation satisfy fully, most completely, without restraint, our desire for Him. So if we solely seek satisfaction in God, our good and holy, perfect God, we will be made totally satisfied.

As my fallen nature encourages me to struggle through this life by my own futile strength, seeking satisfaction in money, relationships, jobs, and often even knowledge or experience, I become more and more dissatisfied, and I’m starting, just starting, to understand why that is. I know it at an intellectual level, but not at a real, applied one.

So my prayer today and forever until He returns or calls me home is that me and all my brothers and sisters would find more delight in the Lord each day. And for those who are no yet saved, that God would graciously and mercifully reveal His glory to them, so they may too find real satisfaction for an eternity.

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Something else, slightly off topic which had never occurred to me, is that humanity is immortal.

Now that needs to be expanded because upon first reading it may sound like we are God. We are not God. All I said was, we are immortal.

We are immortal, because God designed us so. We are both physical and spiritual beings, one and at the same time. As Christians we know that when we die, we will go to be with our Lord forever. But those who are not elect don’t just cease to exist. On the contrary: they exist for eternity too. In turmoil.

So again, I’m reminded to be careful in what I say. Our fallen human bodies are not immortal, but our persons are. That is a powerful statement for evangelism.