Another reason to like John Piper.
And if someone gives you a special gift, go see Les Miserables, Victor Hugo’s novel turned into a musical. The triumph of mercy over blind legalism is deeply moving.
I have always been moved by several key points in the musical, one of them being Javert’s suicide. Javert could not see how grace and justice could join and kiss a guilty world in love. The great dilemma in his mind that drove him mad is answered in Romans 3:23-26.
23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…
This means that all are guilty, including people like Javert.
24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.
This is the redemption that drove Javert crazy. How could Val Jean be changed? It’s not possibel! “Once a thief, forever a thief!” and “And so it must be and so it is written on the doorway to paradise that those who falter and those who fall must pay the price!” and “Honest work, just reward. That’s the way to please the Lord!”
This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Ahh, Romans 3:26. One of the most, if not the most amazing verse in all the Bible to me. God is just in justifying the ungodly! That’s the solution. It’s what Val Jean experienced in the story. I get goosebumps thinking about it.
Anyway, Piper likes Les Miserables. So does Rosanna. And so do I. Can’t wait to take you to see it, Rosie. :o)
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