Jon Bloom, the Executive Director of Desiring God Ministries, gives us the following quote from their January 2006 newsletter:
"Which is why Pastor John (John Piper) asserts that 'how we love each other in regard to non-essential differences is an essential issue. It can lead a person to heaven or to hell.'"
Now, before we go on, can you see anything worrisome about John Piper's statement? I certainly can, since he is saying that our ACTIONS (how we love each other) can lead us to HEAVEN or HELL. This showcases how confused we can get...even when we are both very bright, and very popular. John Piper knows the gospel (I've heard him share it clearly before), but he can't seem to keep himself from letting works creep into the message.
Mr. Bloom tries to clarify this statement by adding:
"Here's the point: words are like other works. Works don't save us. Rather, gracious works and gracious words are the evidence of whether of not we have received the grace of God."
Of course, I'm also concerned with this notion of "evidence"... The problem is that we can see good works in non-Christians, and we can see a lack of works in Christians (2 Peter 1:8). So, do works really tell us about salvation...if indeed one is saved by faith apart from works?
Mr. Bloom displays the confusion by back-peddaling a bit when he says,
"If mercy does not triumph over judgment in our hearts and tongues toward our brothers and sisters it means one of two grave things:
1) we are seriously blind to the overwhelming mercy we have received, or
2) we have not received God's mercy of forgiveness."
If works are the evidence of our salvation, then how can he really claim our blindness? Of course our blindness makes sense (or our immaturity, etc.)...but why in the world would ministers of the Gospel want to encourage people to doubt their salvation based on their works...
...especially when works are in no way a part of what is required; which is faith alone in Christ alone?
The reason is simple: they have the faulty idea that works tells us whether or not people are saved. This can only be true if works save...which they seem to accidently believe and disbelieve in the same breath.
Whew! All this is important because the Gospel by which we are saved is so important.
Grace and truth,
Fred
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