“Sin hurts people so don’t sin. Wouldn’t that definition of sin be good for society?”
In "The Roots of Endurance" by John Piper, he quotes William Wilberforce on this topic. Below are highlights from pages 121-122
“When considering the nature of sin, Wilberforce said, the vast bulk of Christians in England estimated the guilt of an action ‘not by the proportion in which, according to scripture, [actions] are offensive to God, but by that in which they are injurious to society.’ Now, on the face of it that sounds noble, loving, and practical. Sin hurts people so don’t sin. Wouldn’t that definition of sin be good for society?”
Wilberforce goes on to explain that this type of view shows a lack of reverence for God, and references Psalm 111:10 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”
Piper explains that “…without this wisdom, there will be no deep and lasting good done for man, spiritually or politically. Therefore, the supremacy of God’s glory in all things is what he [Wilberforce] calls ‘the grand governing maxim’ in all of life. The good of society may never be put ahead of this. This would dishonor God and, paradoxically, defeat the good of society. For the good of society, the good of society must not be the primary good.”
Please let me know what you think. It sure challenged me and gave me a lot to think about. If you’re interested in reading the whole book, it can be found in the Desiring God website’s online book section.
Sunday, May 31
Friday, May 22
There is No Other
Tuesday, May 12
To Him Be the Glory
I'm currently reading "The Roots of Endurance" by John Piper, and he explains in the introduction that the reason we have been called to do good works is to bring glory to God rather than to ourselves. Below are some of the verses he referenced. My goal is to strive to keep this perspective in mind in all things both great and small.Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
1 Peter 4:7-11
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
My prayers for all of you...
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
1 Peter 4:7-11
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
My prayers for all of you...
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
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