All For the Glory of God

"We are selfless followers of a self-centered God. We exist for the glory of God, and God exists for the glory of God.  The ultimate key to joining together in radical obedience to Christ is found in fostering a humble view of ourselves and a high view of God in the church.  For when we see ourselves as completely dependent, utterly desperate children of God who live exclusively for him, then we will give ourselves in total abandonment to him for his great purpose in the world: the declaration of his gospel and the demonstration of his glory to all the peoples of the earth."

- David Platt, Radical Together, page 120
 
Now that's a description of God that you do not often see; "a self-centered God."  Yet, in the context within which the author is using it, I think it to be entirely appropriate.  What do you think?

From the Book to the Spirit

"The Bible is not in a church leader's hands so he or she can give people answers to every question they have and guidance for every situation they face.  Instead, the Bible is in a church leader's hands to transform people into the image of Christ and to get people in touch with the Holy Spirit of God who will not only give them counsel for every situation they face, but will also walk with them through the situation.  And when church leaders use God's Word for this purpose then church members develop a healthy dependence on God's Spirit and a healthy admiration of God's glory."

               - David Platt, Radical Together, page 49

..Because We Want To

"...as we trust in Christ, he changes our hearts, minds and lives.  He transforms how we see, feel and act...

...any low-grade sense of guilt gets conquered by a high-grade sense of gospel that compels a willing, urgent, joyful, uncompromising, grace-saturated, God-glorifying obedience in us.  We live sacrificially, not because we feel guilty, but because we have been loved greatly and now find satisfaction in sacrificial love for others.  We live radically, not because we have to, but because we want to."

            - David Platt, Radical Together, page 31
  

Free to Follow, Free to Obey

"The reality is that when you believe in Christ for salvation, you not only are declared right before God as Father, but you are also begin to walk with God as friend.  In addition to new birth, Jesus gives you new life: a life of joyful obedience and overflowing love.  So when you hear Christ's radical call to live sacrificially, you do not think In the gospel I am free to flout his commands.  Instead you think In the gospel I am free to follow his commands.  And the faith that God has graciously given to you begins to produce radical fruit from you."

         David Platt, Radical Together, Page 30

Radical Together Arrives

David Platt's new book Radical Together ( sequel to the best seller Radical) is out. Jared Wilson reviews it at Radical Together - TGC Reviews. I love this quote from the book.

"No matter what you do, even if you sell all of your possessions and move to the most dangerous country in the world for ministry’s sake, you cannot do enough to be accepted before God. And the beauty of the gospel is that you don’t have to. God so loved you that, despite your hopeless state of sin, he sent his Son—God in the flesh—to live the life you could not live. Jesus alone has kept the commands of God. He alone has been faithful enough, generous enough, and compassionate enough. Indeed, he alone has been radical enough." (23).

Radical Together

If you enjoyed reading this...

...then you should be looking forward to this! (To be published in April)