Comments on: “What Jesus Demands from the World” -Intro http://answersforthefaith.com/2006/11/21/what-jesus-demands-from-the-world-intro/ Answering Issues of //Politics//Religion//Culture//and the Christian Faith Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:30:32 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Dr. D http://answersforthefaith.com/2006/11/21/what-jesus-demands-from-the-world-intro/comment-page-1/#comment-10011 Dr. D Wed, 27 Dec 2006 05:28:27 +0000 http://answersforthefaith.com/blog/2006/11/21/what-jesus-demands-from-the-world-intro/#comment-10011 It can be said that real 'good works' are the Glory of God being demonstrated, since all genuine 'good' works are the product of the Holy Spirit working within the Christian. One can never boast of genuine good works. Pride comes from folks doing their own thing, it may look 'good' but such works are not genuine. Only God is really 'Good'. If you are really concerned with what John Piper has to say here, go directly to his website and ask for clarification: www.desiringgod.org then go to "About Us" and click on "Contact Us". It can be said that real ‘good works’ are the Glory of God being demonstrated, since all genuine ‘good’ works are the product of the Holy Spirit working within the Christian. One can never boast of genuine good works. Pride comes from folks doing their own thing, it may look ‘good’ but such works are not genuine. Only God is really ‘Good’.

If you are really concerned with what John Piper has to say here, go directly to his website and ask for clarification: http://www.desiringgod.org then go to “About Us” and click on “Contact Us”.

]]> By: Larry http://answersforthefaith.com/2006/11/21/what-jesus-demands-from-the-world-intro/comment-page-1/#comment-10010 Larry Wed, 27 Dec 2006 00:52:04 +0000 http://answersforthefaith.com/blog/2006/11/21/what-jesus-demands-from-the-world-intro/#comment-10010 Unfortunately the author confuses God and man so badly, that by page 3 of the Intro, you are being told that when Christians obey Christ's commands, people are actually seeing the glory of God. "When obedience to his commands happens, what the world sees is the fruit of Jesus' glorious work and the worth of his glorious person. In other words, they see the glory of God." It will be useful to show how he gets to this. Matthew 5:16 is the exhortation to let our let so shine before others, that two things might come about: first, that they may see our good works, and second, that they, that is, other people, may glorify our Father who is in heaven. Piper (p. 18) goes from the verse, which anticipates that our good works will (if we let our light shine before others), result in others glorifying our Father in heaven, to our works being the glory of our Father in heaven. So, instead of what Jesus exhorts, that others might say "glory to God" when we let our light shine, and they see our good works -- instead of that, Piper wants them to say "glory <em>of</em> God" to our good works and obedience. Are good works the glory of God? Brothers and sisters, we are not God. The good works of the Christian are not God. The good works of the Christian -- may there be more and more of them, and may others see them and glorify God. But for them to call our good works "glory of God" is to treat them as perfect. The glory of God is perfect, and none of our good works are. What a shame that Piper appeals to the pride of man in order to supposedly inspire obedience. Unfortunately the author confuses God and man so badly, that by page 3 of the Intro, you are being told that when Christians obey Christ’s commands, people are actually seeing the glory of God.

“When obedience to his commands happens, what the world sees is the fruit of Jesus’ glorious work and the worth of his glorious person. In other words, they see the glory of God.”

It will be useful to show how he gets to this. Matthew 5:16 is the exhortation to let our let so shine before others, that two things might come about: first, that they may see our good works, and second, that they, that is, other people, may glorify our Father who is in heaven. Piper (p. 18) goes from the verse, which anticipates that our good works will (if we let our light shine before others), result in others glorifying our Father in heaven, to our works being the glory of our Father in heaven. So, instead of what Jesus exhorts, that others might say “glory to God” when we let our light shine, and they see our good works — instead of that, Piper wants them to say “glory of God” to our good works and obedience.

Are good works the glory of God? Brothers and sisters, we are not God. The good works of the Christian are not God. The good works of the Christian — may there be more and more of them, and may others see them and glorify God. But for them to call our good works “glory of God” is to treat them as perfect. The glory of God is perfect, and none of our good works are.

What a shame that Piper appeals to the pride of man in order to supposedly inspire obedience.

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