Helpful thoughts, thank you. How does this work for non-believers who are doing externally good things but not with the intention of seeking God as Cornelius does? E.g. the atheist who donates to feed starving children. Is this act equally not pleasing to God?
Romans 2:14 Amplified Bible (AMP)When Gentiles, who do not have the Law [since it was given only to Jews], do instinctively the things the Law requires [guided only by their conscience], they are a law to themselves, though they do not have the Law.
Piper bases his discussion on two scriptures which he promptly misuses! 1. Rom14.23: 'not of faith' is clearly talking about going against conscience; it is not a statement about 'not being a Christian'; 2. Heb11:6: this is a statement about faith in God, not 'being a Christian'. The clue is 'anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him'. So he fails to see that Cornelius was one of these prior to hearing the Gospel! So it is not surprising that his conclusions are completely wrong.
Thank you pastor John. Recently I am thinking about when there is haven’t New Testament also have some person who by faith pleased God and got there salvation. I find that maybe they have the same faith which is Love God with reverence. Maybe I still not understand fully, but faith alway related to Love right.? may God give me strong faith. ^^
Sandy Jin Hello, Sandy😀. Under the new covenant, believing in God is not what leads to salvation/saves a person. The bible says, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.". (Faith in) Jesus Christ is the basis for salvation. In fact, the scripture says that even the demons believe in God, & they tremble. (That is, they are damned even though they believe in God.) Jesus Christ is whom saves I hope that helps☺
But don't believe in a false Gospel of once saved always saved you must truly repent and live for Yahweh alone in the Mightiest Name of Yeshua haMashiach hoo Adonai and bear fruit of the Rauch haKodesh 👨🏼🌾✅🍅🍇🍈🍎🍏🍌🍋🍐🍑🍊🍒🍓🥑🥝🥒 Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die: but if by the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live. ♾️ What does John 16 verse 22 really mean? Isaiah 60:22 Galatians 5 24?
"Send therefore (for that reason) to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter." For the reason of his prayers and alms would seem that he was then seen to be saved? Was he any better, or did it matter at all for his alms and prayers?
His constant prayers, & giving of alms, were a physical revelation of the faith he had in God. James said, "faith without works is dead". So, no, he was not better - "all have sinned & fall short of the glory of God - but rather, the centurion's works proved/testified/revealed his faith to be genuine. I hope that answers your question ☺
Nope,none Christians never please God.Because His joy is the acknowledgment of his Son. Thats the reason for the scripture,your own righteousness is as filthy rags,But when you take on Jesus's righteousness, then you become white as snow in His under His covering.
Body without the Holy spirit is dead, and faith without works is dead also. James 2:26.
Helpful thoughts, thank you. How does this work for non-believers who are doing externally good things but not with the intention of seeking God as Cornelius does? E.g. the atheist who donates to feed starving children. Is this act equally not pleasing to God?
Romans 2:14 Amplified Bible (AMP)When Gentiles, who do not have the Law [since it was given only to Jews], do instinctively the things the Law requires [guided only by their conscience], they are a law to themselves, though they do not have the Law.
Piper bases his discussion on two scriptures which he promptly misuses!
1. Rom14.23: 'not of faith' is clearly talking about going against conscience; it is not a statement about 'not being a Christian';
2. Heb11:6: this is a statement about faith in God, not 'being a Christian'. The clue is 'anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him'. So he fails to see that Cornelius was one of these prior to hearing the Gospel!
So it is not surprising that his conclusions are completely wrong.
He's the cherry picker of of scripture and the master of dogma
Thank you pastor John. Recently I am thinking about when there is haven’t New Testament also have some person who by faith pleased God and got there salvation. I find that maybe they have the same faith which is Love God with reverence. Maybe I still not understand fully, but faith alway related to Love right.? may God give me strong faith. ^^
Sandy Jin Hello, Sandy😀. Under the new covenant, believing in God is not what leads to salvation/saves a person. The bible says, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.". (Faith in) Jesus Christ is the basis for salvation. In fact, the scripture says that even the demons believe in God, & they tremble. (That is, they are damned even though they believe in God.) Jesus Christ is whom saves
I hope that helps☺
But don't believe in a false Gospel of once saved always saved you must truly repent and live for Yahweh alone in the Mightiest Name of Yeshua haMashiach hoo Adonai and bear fruit of the Rauch haKodesh
👨🏼🌾✅🍅🍇🍈🍎🍏🍌🍋🍐🍑🍊🍒🍓🥑🥝🥒
Romans 8:13
For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die: but if by the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live. ♾️
What does John 16 verse 22 really mean?
Isaiah 60:22
Galatians 5 24?
"Send therefore (for that reason) to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter." For the reason of his prayers and alms would seem that he was then seen to be saved? Was he any better, or did it matter at all for his alms and prayers?
His constant prayers, & giving of alms, were a physical revelation of the faith he had in God.
James said, "faith without works is dead".
So, no, he was not better - "all have sinned & fall short of the glory of God - but rather, the centurion's works proved/testified/revealed his faith to be genuine.
I hope that answers your question ☺
Cornelius
In the evangelical worldview, God only cares about your theology and doctrine.
Nope,none Christians never please God.Because His joy is the acknowledgment of his Son. Thats the reason for the scripture,your own righteousness is as filthy rags,But when you take on Jesus's righteousness, then you become white as snow in His under His covering.