The pursuit of God's glory. It's every Christians goal, but it just seems so unattainable. Many of us simply set our sights at something more eye level and go from there. To that John Piper asks the question, "is pursuing God's glory and pursuing ones own joy mutually exclusive?" At first glance, the obvious answer is, well, yes. How can living a life of harsh sacrifice and painful service be joyful? We have been conditioned to respond this way, it's almost automatic. So, Christian family, how is that Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles can say that he "counts it as pure joy" when he speaks of the suffering he endured for the cause of Christ? A religious fanatic, raving lunatic, nutcase, all of the above? Or a man who was transformed and freed from all that restrained him from pursuing God? You'll have to decide as we look at men like Paul. As we examine his life, and others, to see if there are any parallels to our lives today.
Jesus said that "if any man would come after me, he must take up his cross daily, and follow me". Does that lead to a joy that I have yet to experience? Paul certainly thought so, and he demonstrated it daily. Think on this and get back to me...........
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Sounds like a great class. Yes, I have tried to pursue this joyful suffering and it seems very foolish to people who have not let go of things that they grasp on to. I guess that is what us imperfect humans seem to fail at. We need something to hold, to see, or to grasp. Paul joyful suffering seems against the grain in this world. He demonstrated his level of faith to suffer for God who seems to others as not to be apart of this world. We all need to move in that direction. To pursue the level of spiritual maturity. To trust him and to let go all those things in this world that binds us.
ReplyDeleteThis is a concpet that is really hard to process. One of his statements is something like we glorify God most when we glory in him the most. A scripture I've been wrestling with for over a year is Psalm 37:4 which says, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." I think this is the same thing you are saying. If our delight (joy) is God then he will give us what our delight is and that is delight in him. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteThanks Ray and Tim for commenting. Don't both of you think that we all intellectually understand that we need to let go and live more by faith, but we just don't have a strong enough support system? I wonder what would happen if enough christians reached that spiritual "critical mass" and decided to Glory In God together? This is what we might be doing right know, and it's a little frightening to open up to God this fully.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see Tim put that verse up there. I love the verse but also struggle with it. Sometimes I really wonder what is the desire of my heart and even though I may see something that is desirable I truly believe that only God really will give me the desires of my heart that are worthy of obtaining. I have lots of desires but I know that God knows which ones are right and best for me. Thank goodness for a God that is all knowing. I have way too many worldly desires, but with this class and asking for a discerning heart I hope to make great leaps in my faith in this area.
ReplyDeleteSo say we all, Renee. You are not alone in that conflict. And in that shared struggle, we grow closer together and stronger. I hope you continue to ask yourself the hard questions and share your answers with us. You are a blessing.
ReplyDeleteIt does sort of seem like a strange thought to consider trials "pure joy". Usually we consider hard times a part of our lives we'd rather do without. But really, it is not the trials themselves that are joyful, but the result of those trials if we remain in Christ. I have to remind myself that through the trials, I am maturing and gaining perseverance. It's a strengthening of the spiritual. And daily cross bearing is a part of that. Sounds tough, but man is it good. :)
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