All my Christian life I have centred myself around this revelation given to my namesake, John the Baptist: "Behold, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Whatever we think sin is, or what our sins amount to, the consistent assurance throughout the Bible is that God forgives us for them. He hasn't changed His mind on that matter: whatever the Cross means, it doesn't mark a change in attitude or intention on God's part. One of the most memorable of Jesus' word pictures is the one of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:10-14). Here, I just want to point out that the tax collector receives forgiveness - more, justification - with none of the conditions we assume to be necessary, like being a Christian and knowing that Jesus died for my sin.
"You are a sinner, but that is not your true identity". (Wondering how to go from here, God has just spoken this word to me! I'll never tire of the joy of His conversation.) I can see what He is getting at, saying this. It is explaining to me why the way Piper puts things in this chapter leaves an unease in my heart. Because the most recurring subject God patiently teaches me, again and again, is my value and preciousness to Him, the good plans He has for me, His delight in being my Creator, and His intention to share all the riches of heaven and earth with me. It's not that my sins don't matter. The closest words I can find to express His attitude have just come to mind: "Come now, let's talk about this together. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow ..." (Isaiah 1:18).
God knows our frailties. Especially He knows that our brokeness is beyond something personal - we were born broken. This is why He blesses the just and the unjust, and He gives wisdom without finding fault. This is why He heals the world of sin and I find myself ceasing to judge whether I am worthy or not. I discover I have always been His workmanship, barely aware of how highly He values me.
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