I assert that human beings as they presently exist have absolutely no rights with God.

None.

Zero.

We have no rights over against God.

We have no right to claim anything from God.

Nothing.

Therefore, all condemnation from God is just and all salvation from God is gracious. And nobody can raise any complaint whatsoever.

If you've ever wondered what makes grace actually feel like grace, it starts with this.

We deserve nothing.

I'm Dan Kruver.

In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper turns to Romans 1, 6, and 7 to help us see how God's call to salvation is always an undeserved rescue.

This message was originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on May 17, 1998.

Paul begins his letter, the greatest letter that's ever been written, the most influential

letter in the history of the world, bar none, no doubt about it. This is the most significant

letter that's ever been written in the history of the world, and he begins it by identifying himself.

But he does that in a way that calls all attention to what has been done to him by God

rather than what he's done for God.

Paul, servant or slave of Christ Jesus.

In other words, I've been bought by the blood of Christ. I've been owned,

I've been ruled, I've been ruled, I belong to another. I'm a slave. Secondly, called to be an apostle.

I got called. I was on the way to persecute Christ. He called me on the Damascus Road. That happened to me. I didn't do that for him. He did that. He did that for me.

Third, set apart for the gospel of God. That happened before he was born, Galatians 115. Set apart from my mother's womb for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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