“On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’” (Matthew 7:22) Consider the difference between a heart of “faith” and a heart of “works.” The heart of works gets satisfaction from the ego-boost of accomplishing something in its own power. It might be a religious thing or a worldly thing. What matters is that the heart feels it has achieved something to boast in. The heart set on works will attempt to scale a vertical rock face, or take on extra responsibilities at work, or risk life in a combat zone, or agonize through a marathon, or perform religious fasting for weeks – all for the satisfaction of conquering a challenge by the force of its own will and the stamina of its own body. The heart with a works-orientation may also express its love of independence and self-direction and self-achievement by rebelling against courtesy and decency and morality (cf. Gal 5:19-21). But it’s the same self-determining; self-exalting works-orientation that also gets disgusted with boorish behavior and sets out to prove its superiority through self-denial, courage and personal greatness. In all of this the basic satisfaction of the works orientation is the savor of being an assertive, autonomous and, if possible, triumphant self. The heart of faith is radically different. Its desires are no less strong as it looks to the future. But what it desires is the fullest satisfaction of experiencing ALL that God is for us in Jesus. If “works” wants the satisfaction of feeling itself overcome and obstacle, “faith savors the satisfaction of feeling God overcome an obstacle. Works longs for the joy of being glorified as capable, strong, and smart. Faith longs for the joy of seeing God glorified for his capability, strength, and wisdom. In its religious form, works accepts the challenge of morality, conquers its obstacles through great exertion, and offers the victory to God as a payment for his approval and recompense. Faith, too, accepts the challenge of morality, but only as an occasion to become the instrument of God’s power. And when the victory comes, faith rejoices that all the glory and thanks belong to God. Therefore, as faith contemplates its own power to work through love, it recognizes that only God can produce love. Any “love” that we might achieve without God would not be true love because you cannot do lasting good for anyone without God. ALL the benefits of the world, minus God, would mean misery in the end. Moreover, achievements of compassion without God only feed the self-exalting ego; they are anathema to faith. Faith loves to experience all that God can do, not all that self can do. ~ John Piper, Future Grace Recommended Resources: PRIDE THE WORSHIP OF SELF: axley.org/files/pride_en.htm Are we justified and sanctified by faith? lifeinchrist-tom.blogspot/2013/08/are-we-justified-and-sanctified-by-faith.html Faith and Works: Paul vs. James: str.org/articles/faith-and-works-paul-vs.-james#.VIxftxUo61s
Posted on: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 16:37:55 +0000
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