Micah 7:8-9 is a picture of what you say to your enemy when he scoffs at your defeat…[it] is what victory looks like the morning after failure…”When I fall, I shall rise.” Yes, I have fallen. I hate what I have done. I grieve at the dishonor a I have brought on my King. But hear this, O my enemy, I will rise. I will rise.
“When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.” Yes, I am sitting in darkness. I feel miserable. I feel guilty. I am guilty. But that is not all that is true about me and my God. The same God who makes my darkness is a sustaining light to me in this very darkness. He will not forsake me.
“I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my cause and executes judgment for me.” O yes, my enemy, this much truth you say: I have sinned. I am bearing the indignation of the Lord. But that is where your truth stops and my theology begins. He-the very one who is indignant with me-will plead my cause…My God, whose Son’s life is my righteousness and whose Son’s death is my punishment, will execute judgment for me. For me! And not against me.
“He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon His vindication.”…this I know for sure…God will bring me out to the light, and I will look upon His righteousness, my Lord and my God.
Taken From “Gustsy Guilt” As Adapted From A Sermon Given By John Piper At Passion ‘07 In The October 2007 Issue Of Christianity Today.
See my response to John Piper’s position.
Comment by J Koos — March 10, 2008 @ 8:02 pm
I agree with much of what you say, and indeed, I had some of those thoughts as I read the article. This of course is one of the benefits of blogging: I can excerpt the parts I like ;).
I have a question about the last sentence in your response (maybe more than one question). “If Satan can continue to delude us into thinking that Christian leaders, let alone everyday Christians, are incapable of living in victory over sin, as they live in Christ, he would surely consider that sweet victory, indeed.”
First, define “victory over sin”. Surely, it is victory that Piper has his eyes on even if he goes a little far with the pragmatics as relates to ministry?
Second, does sexual sin somehow rate as more of a sin than say gossip or slander etc? Of course I realize the implications can be much more far reaching, but as relates to ministry, can someone continue in their ministry if they have a continuing problem with say, gluttony?
I guess my point is that whatever “victory over sin” means it simply cannot mean life without sin except as God sees us through the work of Christ. Unless of course you have discovered a way to live a sinless life? I think there is a balance here that must be found between Piper’s view and your own.
Thanks for reading and posting!
Comment by Aaron Jackson — March 11, 2008 @ 3:28 pm