The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Chapter 35: Pages 493-505

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:4-6

This morning, I continued John Piper's book Providence (purchased from Amazon Kindle Store) with Part 3 "The Nature and Extent of Providence", moving to Section 7 "Providence Over Conversion" - moving to chapter thirty-five "Three Biblical Pictures of How God Brings People to Faith".

Here, Piper explores "three biblical descriptions of God's providence in bringing people to faith." He begins by re-stating what we reviewed in the last chapter, that before conversion we are "slaves to sin", "dead in trespasses and sin", "loving the darkness", and "under the wrath of God" - we also are unable to taste the glory of God without God decisively acting on our behalf.  Piper sums up our pre-conversion condition as "bondage...the overwhelming force of our heart's preference for self-exaltation over submission to God." 

Piper then moves to the three descriptions of our conversion (1) new birth, (2) God's call, and (3) new creation.  Our new birth is required because our natural birth "is a condition of spiritual deadness" and "hopeless unless there is a new birth." God's call is not the "general call of preaching", but the same call as done by Jesus to Lazarus (John 11:43) - this call "creates the belief."  Piper points to Romans 8:28-30 to further explain this call. Finally, Piper uses 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 to describe the new creation and he contrasts the light used in these verses to the same light commanded in Genesis. 

Piper wraps it all up: [i]n the new birth, God gives spiritual life where was none.  In the call of God he awakens the dead and causes Christ crucified to be seen as the wisdom and the power of God. In the new creation, God overcomes the blindness of the soul and gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.  In each case, the answer to our question is this: God's providence brings his people to faith in Christ by doing for them what they cannot do for themselves.  We cannot cause our own birth.  We cannot cause our own resurrection.  And we cannot cause our own creation. These are divine miracles that must be done to us and for us." 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You gave me new birth, You called me, and made me a new creation - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such gifts!  My sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.