The Powerful Root of Practical Love

[ronscarpa]

The Powerful Root of Practical Love

Our WORD For Tuesday, 6/30/2015

 

 

 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. (1 John 3:14) 

 

 

The Bible sometimes makes love the condition of the ongoing and final experience of future grace. It does not mean that love must precede faith in the promise. On the contrary, it means that faith in the promise must be so real that the love it produces proves the reality of the faith.

Thus love for others is a condition of future grace in the sense that it confirms that the primary condition, faith, is genuine. We could call love for others a secondary condition, which confirms the authenticity of the primary condition of faith.

Faith perceives the glory of God in the promises of future grace and embraces all that the promises reveal of what God is for us in Jesus. This spiritual apprehension and delight in God is the self-authenticating evidence that God has called us to be a beneficiary of his grace. This evidence frees us to bank on the promise as our own. And this banking on the promise empowers us to love. Which in turn confirms that our faith is real.

The world is desperate for a faith that combines two things: awestruck apprehension of unshakable divine Truth, and utterly practical, round-the-clock power to make a liberating difference in life. That is what I want too. Which is why I am a Christian.

There is a great God of grace who magnifies his own infinite self-sufficiency by fulfilling promises to helpless people who trust him. And there is a power that comes from prizing this God that leaves no nook and cranny of life untouched. It empowers us to love in the most practical ways.

                                                                                                                               (John Piper)

Edited June 30, 2015 by ronscarpa

[luvalife]

Thanks Ronscarpa,

You certainly have a way with words... more importantly God's word!  I try to read your posts just about everyday and look forward to them.

You are always right on target with your topics for the day and typically touch the heart!

Thanks!

[ronscarpa]

Thanks for your kind words Luvalife...(+1), but I can't take any credit other than passing on another's devotional.  In this case, it's John Piper...!  Often I will expound and add my own commentary, but then it will be in blue, and I'll purt my name with a blessing. May the Lord fill you with His Spirit and Presence throughout the day and week, and reveal more of His Love for you and desire for you...!

Blessings, RON   

[pattyangel]

Luvalife,  absolutely!!! Ronscarpa brings the most worthy reading material to the board. 

 

Ron you have a lot of behind the scene readers, thanks for sharing!!!! 

[ronscarpa]

Luvalife,  absolutely!!! Ronscarpa brings the most worthy reading material to the board. 

 

Ron you have a lot of behind the scene readers, thanks for sharing!!!! 

 

Thank you PattyAngel...(+1) you and Lovalife bless me...!