I felt compelled to finish this book because I realized the older I get the sooner i forget things unless I keep revisiting them daily or weekly. It's amazing how learning gets harder when were older, and how I can barely remember the plot of movies or books I read a long time ago. God works in mysterious ways.
God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in him
John Piper uses this statement to demonstrate that we waste our life when we don't use our life to magnify the greatness of god. Matthew 5:16 says "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Being satisfied in gods word brings a peace the world cannot give (John 14:27), and a joy that is overflowing, this is how we should demonstrate gods love to others so others can realise the bondage of sin, and the freedom of christ. Why wouldnt you admire the creator of nature, the universe and the master of skill.
The christian life is costly and painful, but not joyless
Being a christian is hard. Day in and Day out you have to take up your cross, and deny ourselves (As Piper explains it "dying of comfort, security, comfort, reputation, health, family, friends, and wealth. These may all be taken from us in the path of Christ exalting obedience"). Worse if you die in sin, thinking you always have more time to repent. I mean the bible literally says the devil never sleeps, and is always on the hunt (1 Peter 5:8). But through it all god says he will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. John Piper specifically gives an interesting angle on this verse by examining Pauls life. As seen in 2 Corinthians 6:10 Pual had a tough life. Yet through all this he kept his faith. God never promised us that this life would be painless, and without trials. What god did promise though is through all our trials and tribulations we will never be without gods love. Many peoples gut reaction is to flee from tribulations or get angry with god to just save them, but god uses these trials to strengthen us and build perseverance. As Paul demonstrates in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 that loving god is carrying out gods mission even if it brings us pain and discomfort, so we can spread the good news. As John Piper explains "Risk is Right-Better to Lose Your Life Than to Waste It". This goes hand in hand with having faith that good will provide. Whatever right thing worth having that we desire, god can provide if only we seek the kingdom of heaven first.
Do Not Act Like the World
John Piper Devotes a whole chapter to what a christian lifestyle should look like. One of the major topics he covers is money, if we are to not worry about what we will eat, or wear, and if we are citizens of heaven and not earth then we should not behave at all like the world. In the world people keep score by money, followers, and likes (Luke 12:15). Piper explains that a lot of unbelievers arent drawn to Jesus becaus those who profess to be christian look like the ones who dont know Jesus. We put our hope in money and things of this world and not in Jesus (1 Peter 3:15). To avoid these kinds of entanglements Piper discusses how we should instead have a wartime mindset. While we may not be in a physical war, we are always fighting a spiritual war that has far greater consequences then any World War. When we are in peacetime we have the tendency to look for satisfaction in things of this world, or fall in to the stuppor of sin. War as a Piper describes it brings out immense responses from even unbelievers to serve a common cause. We as christians must always be alert and working towards christs glory. There are times when I know I am sinning, and think to myself if I were to die today I would surely go to hell. That is a very sobering mindset to have for strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life. The enemy is always firing on all cylinders, we must use wartime level efforts to win all the battles, lest we die in sin. Piper does clarify not to exclude time to sing, make music, have joy, and give praise to god. As he states wartime is just a visual aid for him.
Making much of Christ in the Lot God has given you in this Life