He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32
I resume 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 thirty - The Pursuit of Pure Doctrine and Passion for the Poor - wrapping use this book. Here, John Piper points to Romans 8:32 as "the most important promise of his life.*" Piper first starts by describing how Romans 8:32a and 8:32b construct an a fortiori argument. Thus, God gives us all things (the easier part) because He already gave up His One and Only Son Jesus (the harder part). Piper then describes how God gave up His Son, sharing that this was the greatest obstacle between us and eternal happiness. This was clearly the hardest for God to do vs "giving us all things" as Piper describes God's precious love for His Son. Piper writes: "[n]othing greater or harder has ever happened. Or ever will.*" Piper then emphasizes how giving us all things does not guarantee a trouble free life - au contraire! We are referred to Romans 8:36 and we can also refer to John 16:33. Piper shares how when God gives us all things He is giving us "all things we need to do his will. All things we need to glorify him. All things we need to move from predestined to called to justified to glorified— that is, to everlasting happiness (Romans 8: 30).*" Piper then provides us examples from Romans 8 of what God gives us:
- all things will work together for our good (v28)
- we will be conformed to the image of his Son (v29)
- we will be glorified (v30)
- no one can successfully be against us (v31)
- no charge shall stick against us (v33)
- nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (v35)
- in tribulation and distress and persecution and famine and nakedness and danger and sword, we are more than conquerors (vv35–37)
- neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (vv38– 39)
*John Piper. 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul
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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good - providing the hardest thing so You can give us everything! Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of these blessings. My sin is great and it continue...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 to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouse 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.