Hey Church!

In his book, Let the Nations Be Glad!, pastor-theologian John Piper wrote:

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. [To illustrate that truth,] consider what I might say on a pastoral visit when entering the hospital room of one of my people. They look up from their bed with a smile and say, ‘Oh, Pastor John, how good of you to come. What an encouragement.’ And suppose I lift my hand, as it were to deflect the words, and say matter-of-factly, ‘Don’t mention it. It’s my duty as a pastor.’ Now, what is wrong here? Why do we cringe at such a thoughtless pastoral statement? It is my duty. And duty is a good thing. So why does that statement do so much damage?

It damages because it does not honor the sick person. Why? Because delight confers more honor than duty does. Doing hospital visitation out of mere duty honors duty. Doing it out of delight honors the patients. And they feel that.” 

God is most glorified in us when we truly enjoy being in His presence. When we come to worship out of a sense of obligation, we are like Martha in the Bible, who was so busy fulfilling her duties as hostess that she completely missed the most important thing! That is, she honored her duties but not her guest; she worked for Jesus instead of simply delighting herself in Him. 

When you come to church this Sunday, remember: “Delight confers more honor than duty does.”