Joy

So I will keep with the video clip and John Piper theme, I do so reluctantly though. I don't want to seem like I am "worshiping" Piper but I was trying to figure out what to share and this clip kept coming back to me. (technically it is more CS Lewis than Piper).

Piper recently hosted a conference focusing on Christian Hedonism/Joy/CS Lewis. (christian hedonism can be defined as "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.") I saw a video clip about "smiting morality with the joy of the gospel." The line that challenges me and gets me thinking in this clip is "A perfect man will never act out of a sense of duty." It goes on to say, "He would always want the right thing more than the wrong one. Duty is only a substitute for love for God or other people, like a crutch which is a substitute for a leg. Most of us need the crutch at times, but of course it is idiotic to use the crutch when our own legs, our love, tastes, habits, can do the journey on our own." He closes this clip with "Christian hedonism is the smite on morality, its the smite on religion..." So a perfect man acts out of joy.

This is challenging because I know there are many times I do "things" for God and others because it is just the thing to do. I have said that a lot. Does this have to do with "knowing of or about God" and "knowing God"? I have often struggled with my level of joy. I am not saying I am depressed but I don't think my joy is what it should be.

Another thing that is interesting is "Morality is only good when it is trying to abolish itself."

"The whole point of the Gospel, for Tyndale, is to deliver us from morality."

Well here is the clip...