In looking for something to share on this Good Friday, I came across a post by John Piper titled, My Happy Confession of Having No Merit. It’s John Piper’s personal confession but it could fit so many people.
The love that God has shown us, demonstrated so shockingly by the death of his son, Jesus, on the cross, is not gained through our own merit.
In an age where we’re constantly being told how amazing we all are and that we can do anything we want if we set our mind to it, this confession brings us undone, reminding us that in the most important aspects of life we are completely relient on a God who loves us more than we could ever deserve.
This is my confession:
I was born into a believing family through no merit of my own at all.
I was given a mind to think and a heart to feel through no merit of my own at all.
I was brought into the hearing of the gospel through no merit of my own at all.
My rebellion was subdued, my hardness removed, my blindness overcome, and my deadness awakened through no merit of my own at all.
Thus I became a believer in Christ through no merit of my own at all.
And so I am an heir of God with Christ through no merit of my own at all.
Now when I put forward effort to please the Lord who bought me, this is to me no merit at all, because
…it is not I, but the grace of God that is with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10)
…God is working in me that which is pleasing in his sight. (Hebrews 13:21)
…he fulfills every resolve for good by his power. (2 Thessalonians 1:11)
And therefore there is no ground for boasting in myself, but only in God’s mighty grace.
Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:31)
Easter 2010 has arrived and for many it’s a great opportunity to kick back and relax with family and friends. For others it’s a time to get a big DIY project sorted. The smell of fresh paint is sure to fill a lot of houses in the coming days.