I'd like to hear thoughts on this. How do my readers interpret Ephesians 1:4-5 and Acts 13:48? Do you agree with Piper on his interpretation of these verses? Are there other ways that God loves us unconditionally?Peace & Love:
(Author: John Piper)
There is such a thing as unconditional love in God, but it's not what most people mean by it.
It's not a saving love that he has for everybody. Else everybody would be saved, since they would not have to meet any conditions, not even faith. But Jesus said everybody is not saved (Matthew 25:46).
It's not the love that justifies sinners since the Bible says we are justified by faith, and faith is a condition (Romans 5:1).
It's not the love of working all things together for our good because Paul says that happens "to those who love God" (Romans 8:28).
It's not the love of the most intimate fellowship with the Father because Jesus said, "He who loves me will be loved by my Father" (John 14:21). And James said, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you" (James 4:8).
It's not the love that will admit us into heaven when we die because John says, "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10). And faithfulness is a condition.
How then does God love unconditionally? Two ways (at least):
He loves us with electing love unconditionally. "He chose us in him before the foundation of the world . . . for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 1:4-5).
He does not base this election on foreseeing our faith. On the contrary, our faith is the result of being chosen and appointed to believe, as Acts 13:48 says, "As many as were appointed to eternal life believed."
He loves us with regenerating love before we meet any condition. The new birth is not God's response to our meeting the condition of faith. On the contrary, the new birth enables us to believe.
"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been [already!] born of God," (1John 5:1). "[We] were born, not . . . of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:13).
Let us pray that thousands of people who speak of the unconditional love of God would discover the biblical meaning of what they say. If that happened many would find their feet on solid ground.
4 comments:
i agree with piper. i agree with God's sovereignty in our salvation. i agree with election and His predestation of us. not because we had faith but TO have faith. it is a gift. i can't wait to hear from some anonymous arminians telling us why that's not true or why it's a waste of time to think about it.
Ah, challenges, Traever!
I plan on answering you personally, but my life is chaotic, so please be patient with me.Husband had surgery this past week, daughter #2 was in a car accident, taxes need to be filed, sheep need to be lambed out, etc, as well as life. I scanned this post, but did not "read" it. And again, I am not an arminian, definitely NOT a pelag..whatever..( I looked it up and will firmly state I AM NOT ONE OF THEM - not even remotely)and not a 100%Calvinist. So, looking forward to emailing you.
dawn
i look forward to it. i'm interested in hearing about this middle ground between arminianism and calvinism. i'm equally busy here too with baby number 1 on the way and an upstairs that needs to be finished before she arrives so being patient should not be a problem.
I agree that there is wondrous cooperation that occurs between God's sovereign will and our free will. Out of this synergy, this mutual, self-sacrificial love, salvation blooms.
I think this is what Rev Piper is discussing here. As any Arminian, Calvinist, Molinist, etc will tell you, God's action happens before our own. His choosing (ie election) occurs before any movement of our will (ie faith).
Or to change the starting point, Jesus is the pre-destined one. We are chosen insofar as we are united to his Body via the Spirit, who works with us to sanctify our souls for the glory of God.
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