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“When a person is born anew and experiences repentance, his attitude about Jesus changes. Jesus himself becomes the central focus and supreme value of life. Before the new birth happens and repentance occurs, a hundred other things seem more important and more attractive: health, family, job, friends, sports, music, food, sex, hobbies, retirement. But when God gives the radical change of the new birth and repentance, Jesus himself becomes our supreme treasure.” - John Piper from the book titled “What Jesus demands of the world” Page 44
For a good description of what it means to be a “Reformed Charismatic” Adrian Warnok has an excellent article. And in case you are wondering, yes, that would describe me well.
Lately I’ve been thinking about how our forgiven sins should move our hearts towards higher levels of worship. Simply said; Our gratitude should rise in proportion to the value of gift. Luke 7: 36-50
36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”
41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among [8] themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Notice these things about the Woman and Pharisee. The woman was a “sinner” and she knew it. She was moved with very deep emotion and worshiped Jesus with her tears and by washing his feet with her hair and tears and with very expensive ointment. She was standing behind him at his feet in a position of deep humility. Contrast this to the Pharisee as Jesus said “did not anoint my head with oil” nor “give me no kiss”. The Pharisee paid no respect nor did he worship Christ because he did not see his own sinfulness. He did not worship because he saw no need for forgiveness.
We should all see ourselves as the one who’s sins “are many”. This in turn, should result in a deep humility, deep gratitude and worship. When you ponder your Saviour and the great debt He paid for you, do you weep with gratitude? Do you stand in awe of what has happened? Do you tremble at the thought of what you should have justly received as proper punishment for your sins? Are you amazed at your salvation? The radical forgiveness we as Christians have received should result in a radical worship of our Lord. Does this statement cause your heart to sing? “Your sins are forgiven.”
We are all naturally averse from thee, O God; do thou bid us to follow thee; draw us by thy powerful word, and we shall run after thee. Speak by the word of the Spirit to our hearts, the world cannot hold us down, Satan cannot stop our way, we shall arise and follow thee. - Matthew Henry
Matthew 22
35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
We are to love God with all our emotions, feelings, and as natural and often as we breathe, with our deepest thoughts and understanding of Him.
A sermon by John Piper on the “The Supremacy of Christ” Please take the time to view this. It might just change your life. To God be the Glory!
