The incalculable wonder of being a Christian

By John Piper

Being a Christian means experiencing the supernatural every day. Living as new creatures in Christ is amazing beyond calculation (Galatians 6:15).

The fact that many believers do not know this, and do not feel as if it were true, does not surprise us, because Paul prayed for believers that we “may know the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe” (Ephesians 1:18–19). Evidently he thought the Ephesian believers needed God to teach them the wonders of what they had experienced. He was praying for God to show them who they were. God must show us, by his word, who we are by his work.

It may seem strange, but we have to be taught that we are walking miracles. “You were dead in trespasses and sins. . . . But God made you alive” (Ephesians 2:1, 5). You may not feel like a walking resurrection, but you are.

The Acts of Christ

The reason I said that this is amazing beyond calculation is that our life and its affections are not merely gifts of Christ but acts of Christ. That is, our love and joy and peace and strength are not merely gifts from Christ. They are the very love and joy and peace and strength of Christ himself.

Consider joy first. Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11).

Read more at http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/the-incalculable-wonder-of-being-a-christian