And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Ephesians 2

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. Ephesians 2:1-3

I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I move to chapter eighteen - The Horror of Human Sin, the Hope of Human Splendor.  Here, John Piper digs into Paul's writings from scripture that describe how he had not just an utterly realistic and negative view of human sinfulness, but at the same time a "more exalted view of human destiny than most people can dream*."  Piper first starts with Paul's view of human sinfulness where he points us first to Ephesians 2:1-3 where no one - regardless of wealth, morality, or spirituality - escapes the "universal indictment of human nature*."  Piper then moves to how it is not ignorance that puts all of us in this condition but hardness of heart - pointing to Ephesians 4:18.  Piper implores us to see how this hardness of heart may "may take the form of throwing God’s law away and becoming debauched in glaring lawlessness (see Romans 1:28– 32), or in using God’s law to bolster my religious and moral pride (see Romans 2:1–5).*"  Piper then moves to how Paul teaches us that the "world’s fallenness is part of a plan to reverse the world’s misery. Through Adam, all humanity became sinful, and all creation fell under the curse of death and a thousand sorrows. But at the very point where Paul introduces Adam this way, he portrays Christ as the second Adam. In Christ a new humanity— all who receive his grace— would be rescued from condemnation and inherit eternal life*."  Piper points us to Romans 5:17 and Romans 8:19-21 where through Christ we have a Savior and eternal life where those who believe in Christ as their Savior will escape the horrible consequences of a fallen world.

*John Piper. 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me salvation and hope to escape both my fallen nature and the consequences - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it 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 of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead 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.