Well, we all need saving.

We know that much.

But what are we saved for?

This question of why we are saved in the first place is essential and important.

And it was a question John Piper tackled in a message titled, created for joy, preached

at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in DC back in 2002.

Here's what Pastor John said.

Gospel is good news about something, but it doesn't say what the good news is.

So it's not adequate to simply say, Christians believe gospel.

That doesn't say anything.

It doesn't tell you anything.

It's just that's a zero.

Good news about what?

So you could add good news about forgiveness of sins against God who created the universe

and who is angry at us because we have offended him so badly and have fallen short of what

we were created to be in his image.

So there is just wrath against us and we can be forgiven and that would be our God's

book.

But if you analyze the word forgiveness that somebody could say, well, so what?

Who cares about being forgiven?

Because forgiveness in and of itself doesn't mean anything.

The only value forgiveness has is if there's a relationship that's been wrecked and you

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