Faith Itself Is a Blood-Bought Benefit

From the very last chapter of From Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonement in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective, “My Glory I Will Not Give to Another,” by John Piper:

[O]ne of the promises made in the new covenant is that the condition of faith itself will be given by God. This means that the new covenant people are created and preserved by God. “I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me” (Jer. 32:40). God puts the fear of God in us in the first place. And God keeps us from turning away. He creates his new people and keeps his new people. And he does this by the blood of the covenant, which Jesus said was his own blood (Luke 22:20).

The upshot of this understanding of the new covenant is that there is a definite atonement for the new covenant people. In the death of Christ, God secures a definite group of unworthy sinners as his own people by purchasing the conditions they must meet to be part of his people. The blood of the covenant—Christ’s blood—purchases and guarantees the new heart of faith and repentance. God did not do this for everyone. He did it for a “definite” or a “particular” group, owing to nothing in themselves. And since he did it through Jesus Christ,1 the Great Shepherd, who laid down his life for the sheep, we say, “to him be glory forever and ever.” This achievement is a significant part of the glory of the cross of Christ.

If saving faith is a blood-bought benefit of the new covenant (Piper argues from scripture that it is.), then the atonement must be definite. There’s really no way around it.

Previously posted quotes from this book:

• Someone for Some People
• Death Is the Penalty
• Election Is the Spring
• Election Circumscribes the Atonement
• The Circle of Salvation
• Still Bearing Wounds
• Three Features of Typology
• Providing Confidence for Mission

1See Hebrews 13:20-21 where it says God is “working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ… .”

Status Report: June

Sitting…in my favorite spot on the couch in the livingroom.

Drinking…my before bed cup of mint tea.

Feeling…tired after a full day spent with the grandchildren. We went to the pond, the park, played in the backyard, and ate our lunch outdoors. All three sat in the wagon on the way to the park, what one woman we passed called “a wagon full of cute.” Yep, that’s exactly what they are. 

Also feeling…disappointed I slept through the earthquake this morning. 

Enjoying…my blossoming May Day tree, although since the tree lost several big branches in a windstorm last year, it is not as glorious as it once was. Still, this is one of my favorite times of the year.

Waiting…for the seeds to sprout in the garden. I’ve scaled back on the gardening front this year and only planted about 1/4 of what I usually plant. A couple varieties of lettuce, spinach, carrots, kale and broccoli—and that’s it.

Hoping…to use the time saved on the gardening front to accomplish a few home painting projects. I’m also hoping for extra time to just relax and enjoy the summer.

Learning…about kefir. My son got some kefir grains from a friend and has been culturing (Is that the right word?) milk at my house. I’m not sure how I feel about the finished product. Perhaps it’s an acquired taste.

Still reading…this book, and I’ve been reading it for five months now, I think. At least I’m on the last chapter now. I hope to review it when I’m through, but I’m not even sure how to review such a long and complicated book.

Looking…at the sky. Two weeks and a few day until the longest day of the year, so the sun’s still above the mountains streaming in the westward windows, and the sky is bright blue with tall cumulus clouds. The late night sun is another reason this is a favorite time of the year. If only our summer weren’t so short … .

Reminding…myself of tonight’s frost warning. As soon as I post this I’ll go bring the potted tomato plants indoors for the night.

Wishing…you and yours a blessed June.

Theological Term of the Week

Ark of the Covenant
The box or chest made of acacia wood covered with gold which the Israelites used to hold the tablets of the Law, along with a pot of manna and Aaron’s rod which had blossomed. It was kept in the Holy of Holies, first in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple.

• In scripture:

The Ark of the Covenant “They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and outside shall you overlay it, and you shall make on it a molding of gold around it. You shall cast four rings of gold for it and put them on its four feet, two rings on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it. You shall make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark by them. The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. And you shall put into the ark the testimony that I shall give you. “You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be. And you shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you. There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel. (Exodus 25:10-22 ESV)

Click to read more ...