Heavier Things

In a book I read recently by John Piper titled Spectacular Sins and Their Global Purpose for the Glory of Christ, Piper discusses how coddled Americans are, especially Christian Americans.  Many people sit in pews Sunday after Sunday, but they still don't truly understand the implications of their own faith.  They like to think that God is pocket-sized; someone they can turn to when times are tough.  But they don't believe that God really is or that he will actually call us to account for how we live our lives.  Many pastors are afraid to preach about the difficult truths of the Bible, because they want to maintain a healthy-sized congregation and a full offering plate.  No one wants to hear a sermon on hell fire and brimstone.  But maybe it's time we think about the heavier things.  As Piper said, "Wimpy worldviews make wimpy Christians."

I recently listened to a talk given by David Platt at the Desiring God conference (which Patrick was fortunate enough to attend.)  His talk was titled "The Glory of God, the Lostness of Man, and the Gospel of Christ."  It was a stirring talk that I've listened to several times now.  I have included a link to the video at the end of this post, and I encourage you to listen to it.  Though he's not exactly preaching hellfire and brimstone, Platt reveals the depth of scripture that points to the sinfulness of man and our utter need for a savior.  The Bible paints a vivid picture of the reality of hell, one that we would be wise not to ignore.

Have you ever thought about the reality of hell?  I mean really pondered it in your heart?  If you are a Christ follower who has put your whole trust in Jesus for the redemption of your sins, the thought of what you have been saved from should bring you crashing to your knees in humble gratitude every day.  Like it or not, hell is a reality, and one that thousands of people face anew every day.  This idea isn't popular; the idea of suffering for all eternity for the choices one has made on this earth.  Most people are much more comfortable saying that everyone will go to heaven, they just have to find their own way to God.  The Truth of God and His Word contradicts this view point.  If God created man in His image and wants us to choose to love and obey Him above all else, why would he allow someone who hates Him into heaven?  If someone chooses a life apart from God now, they will experience eternal separation from God.  That's what hell really is; the total abandonment of the presence of God.  In a weird way, God is giving that person exactly what they want: no God.

As Isaiah says in Isaiah 6:5 after coming face to face with God, "Woe to me!  I am ruined!  For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips."  We are a sinful people who desperately need the grace of God to save us from the eternal suffering of hell.  It's clear from scripture as well as a look around us that we are lost.  What does it mean to be "lost?"  It means that we are cut off from God and cast away from his presence.  Romans 3:11 says, "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God."  Romans 1:21 says, "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God no gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened."  In John 8:34 Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin."  John 3:20 says, "Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed."  The scriptures go on and on regarding the sinfulness of man and our need for a savior.

I think it's all too easy to focus only on the aspects of God that make us feel good.  God is love.  God forgives.  God reconciles all things to Himself.  This is all very true, and I'm thankful that I serve this God, but there is another side to Him that we often forget.  While we might not like to think about it, God displays wrath as well as love.  In a talk I watched recently by David Platt, he discusses the fact that God hates sinners.  Psalm 5:5 says, "The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong."  God also loves sinners.  We can look to the cross of Christ as proof of this holy hatred and holy love.  The torture, pain, death, and separation from God that Christ endured was meant for us.  We deserve it because in our sin, we chose to ignore God's commands.  There is a hatred of sin and sinners that cannot be denied.  We like to think that our sin is something outside of ourselves, when really, we are sinful to the very core of our nature.  Our pride, lust, greed, etc. is part of who we are, and God will judge that sin.  The flip side of this is God's incredible love for sinners.  Again, look to the cross.  While we deserved God's wrath, Jesus Christ endured it for us.  God poured out his wrath on his only Son, not us, so we could be made righteous.  Romans 5:8 says, " But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  That's the purest kind of love there is!  Not only are we forgiven of our sins against God, but Hebrews 8:17 tells us, "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."  Psalm 103:11-12 we read, "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."  That is pretty incredible news! 

While the reality of hell is terrifying, as a Christian I have great peace and joy in knowing that God loves me so much that He would step down from His throne in heaven to save me from an eternity apart from Him.  My sins have been atoned for and have been replaced with the righteousness of Christ.  So while God's wrath toward sinners is great, His love is just as far reaching!

David Platt's talk titled "The Glory of God, the Lostness of Man, and the Gospel of Christ