Friday, September 26, 2008
John Piper has an extremely encouraging mindset for the big picture (macro) on Preparing for Sudden Suffering. Here is an outline:
- Repentance -- Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:4-5)
- Reliance -- For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. (II Corinthians 1:8-9)
- Righteousness -- For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives...For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:6, 10-11)
- Reward -- For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (II Corinthians 4:17). Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)
- Reminder -- That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death (Philippians 3:10). For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45)
