Ask Pastor John
John Piper answering tough theological and pastoral questions.
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- 457All My Sins Were Canceled — So Why Continue to Confess?If all our sins are forgiven — past, present, and future — does ongoing confession show that we doubt Christ’s finished work?
- 458When Will Christ Heal My Body?We know that Jesus has purchased both our forgiveness and our physical healing at the cross. But what kind of healing can we expect in this life?
- 459What Should We Make of Healing Ministries?God still answers prayers for physical healing today. But how should Christians evaluate the claims of so-called healing ministries?
- 460In Our Racial Differences, How Is Christ ‘All’ and ‘in All’?To be a Christian is not only to trust Christ and treasure Christ, but to be indwelt by Christ. And that new identity transforms all our relationships.
- 461How Does God Lead Us in Daily Decisions?How do I follow God’s lead in my daily decisions? I know he’s my shepherd, and that he’s leading me, but how do I know if I am following him?
- 462On Permanent Birth ControlIf two spouses agree that they do not want to have more children, would it be sinful to pursue permanent forms of birth control?
- 463I’m Too Distracted with Life to Meditate on ChristHow can we turn our attention away from regrets, dreams, and other consuming thoughts so that we can set our minds on things that are above?
- 464How Fleeting Pleasures Sidetrack Our LoveA lack of love for other people doesn’t show that we’re trying too hard to please ourselves — it shows that we’re far too easily pleased.
- 465Do Christians Still Have Evil Desires?If God’s wrath comes against evil desires, and not only evil behaviors, why will his wrath not come against Christians, who still battle evil desires?
- 466Should We Dramatize Jesus’s Life for Television?God gave us a book about Jesus, not a video. So how might Christians think about dramatic portrayals of Jesus’s life in television or movies?
- 467What’s Lost When We Only Pray Alone?The church of Acts often gathered together to praise God and intercede for his people. So what might we lose if we pray only by ourselves?
- 468Does Romans 7 Describe a Christian?What kind of person does Romans 7:14–25 describe? Pastor John offers nine reasons to read Paul’s description as part of the Christian experience.
- 469Should Pro-Lifers Embrace Embryo Adoption?In America, there are hundreds of thousands of frozen embryos, left over from in vitro fertilization. How might Christians weigh the decision to adopt one of them?
- 470The Heart of Fake HappinessMany nominal Christians go to church, believe God loves them, and yet are on their way to hell. So what marks the born again from those who only think they are?
- 471What Are Church Traditions?In his letters, Paul speaks not only of teachings he delivered to the churches, but also of traditions he passed on. What kind of traditions does he have in mind?
- 472Shame: Its Uses and AbusesSome shame condemns and destroys, and some shame heals and restores. So how can we tell the difference between misplaced and well-placed shame?
- 473Why God Makes Much of YouWhen God makes much of us, he does it for his sake, not ours. And that makes his love far greater than we could have imagined.
- 474Does God Delight in Justification or Holiness?Does God delight in his people based on Christ’s work alone, or does his delight also depend on our own holiness?
- 475Does Faith Cause Regeneration?Does faith bring about the new birth, or does the new birth bring about faith? Pastor John offers three reasons why getting the order right matters.
- 476How God Makes Much of YouIn Christ, God makes more of us than we could ever imagine. And he will go on doing so forever.
- 477My Spouse Died Prematurely — Was It My Fault?How might Christians process feelings of guilt over the death of a loved one? Pastor John offers counsel to a new widow struggling not to blame herself.
- 478Should Gospel Disagreements End a Friendship?Christians can disagree over many doctrines and stay friends. But what should we do when a friend rejects a doctrine central to the gospel?
- 479God Saves to Make Much of Himself — Doesn’t That Lessen His Love?Nothing but God can forever satisfy hearts that are made for God. And so, in great mercy, God loves us in a way that makes much of himself.
- 480Why Dead Men Must DiePaul says we all were dead apart from Christ, but he also says we died when we were united to Christ. In what sense, then, do dead men die?
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