Piper: The Problem with Receiving Christ

One way to describe this problem is to say that when these people “receive Christ,” they do not receive him as supremely valuable. They receive him simply as sin-forgiver (because they love being guilt-free), and as rescuer-from-hell (because they love being pain-free), and as healer (because they love being disease-free), and as protector (because they love being safe), and as prosperity-giver (because they love being wealthy), and as Creator (because they want a personal universe), and as Lord of history (because they want order and purpose); but they don’t receive him as supremely and personally valuable for who he is. They don’t receive him as he really is—more glorious, more beautiful, more wonderful, more satisfying, than everything else in the universe. They don’t prize him or treasure him or cherish him or delight in him. 

John Piper

Comments

[larry dohanos]

I think that we as human beings have a hard time wrapping our brains around the fact that our God and Savior would sacrifice himself for us. Maybe it puts some measure of guilt in our minds. Whatever it is I think you're right. It seems like a step by step process. Maybe people need time to grow spiritually and realize what exactly it means to live for eternity in the house of the Lord. Maybe they are just to comfortable and luke warm and are afraid to discover all the Lord has to offer them if they would just let go. The more I let go the more I realize how wonderful it is to be loved by Jesus. Just how special this relationship is to me and my family. Thank you for giving me something to think about.

[Matt Tullos]

Amen, Larry!