John Piper would have done himself (and all of us) a favor if he tried to separate the deep theological concepts he is trying to explain from the practical application of those concepts, which he only gives a glimpse of here and there in this chapter.
But it is not hard to imagine the practical consequences of this miraculous gift of joy in God, which is, in essence, what he calls “Christian Hedonism,” an expression which makes every hair in my body stand on end every time I hear it. But I can look beyond the expression…
The other day I saw an older couple clearly captivated, mesmerized, enthralled by the very presence of their grandbaby. I couldn’t resist it. I told them I could tell they absolutely adored their grandbaby. They said, “So, you noticed.” I told them, “Isn’t God wonderful to give you such a precious gift?” They said, politely, “Yes, He is.”
I walked away, thinking, how many Christians out there are more enthralled with their grandchildren than with God? How many are get more joy out of their work than communion with Christ and His Spirit? How many can hardly contain themselves with excitement, counting the days when a favorite relative will visit while dreading the arrival of the brief interlude of time they will be one-on-one with God? The list could go on and on.
John Piper pulls no punch in summarizing this: “There are many professing Christians who delight in God’s gifts, but not God. Would you want to go to heaven if God were not there, only His gifts?” The answer, for the true believer, is a resounding NO, but I fear that many times we live as if it were an unmistakable YES.
It is no mere coincidence that the New Testament uses the imagery of a wedding – the happiest day in a couple’s life – to speak about John, the Baptizer’s joy in seeing Jesus’ ministry blossom and his come to an end. John said, “You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full.” (John 3:28-29).
The bridegroom’s best friend and his companions wait until the bridegroom comes for his prized possession. When he announces that he is there to take his bride, the bridegroom’s friend rejoices with great joy because the marriage consummation is at hand and his work is complete. In the same way, we experience joy to the utmost when we come into the full fellowship of the Messiah. The joy, which was only an anticipation of great things to come, now comes into full throttle and turns into a never ending spring of fresh water to cool us from the scorching summer sky.
We cannot, even if we wished, ever turn back to our old worried selves again. This joy, which is contagious, carries us even through sorrow and pain. And when there is no sorrow and pain, the joy should be so bubbly that people around us would be within their rights to question our sanity. That is, I believe, the main mark of a true “Christian Hedonist” – pardon my French!
pastor ivanildo 
On page 54 he states, “I mean that no one is a Christian who does not embrace Jesus gladly as his most valued treasure, and then pursue the fullness of that joy in Christ that honors HIm.” In the next section he goes on to talk about how true conversion is more than just a profession of faith in Christ as Savior and that many people who consider themselves Christians are in fact not Christians as evidenced by their sins. For example, non-married people living together and drunks can call themselves Christians but yet, still sin. Here’s my question: Couldn’t these people he is calling unconverted be in fact just sinners like me and him and still know the saving grace of God? He is right, there are people who think they are Christians and are in fact not. I’m not arguing with that fact but I know that I am a sinner. I sin all the time. It may not be the “biggies” so to speak but I believe that all sin is ugly to God. And I will admit, I don’t always pursue the full joy of Christ. Does that mean I’m going to Hell?
I think that pursuing the joy of the Lord is what we as Christians are commanded to do but I’m not sure that not pursuing it is a make it or break it for salvation, itself. What are your thoughts?
I see slightly different. I think he is talking about people who are truly unconverted and yet SAY they believe in Jesus. The examples he came up with were not the best, but in my own experience I come across people like that a lot. Charles Spurgeon said that the first job of the preacher is to convert the “Christian.” I agree with that. On the other hand, I believe there are many converted Christians who are on their way to heaven but have failed to grasp the full extent of the joy God intended for them. They are on their way to heaven but that’s about it. The joy of The Lord is not their strength; they have no clue what Paul meant when he spoke about “the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him…” (Philippians 3:8-9).
Now, if you want a Piper definition for conversion, you should go to p. 64, where he says, “Conversion, then, involves repentance (turning from sin and unbelief) and faith (trusting in Christ alone for salvation)… This means that saving faith in Christ always involves a profound change of heart. It is not merely agreeing with the truth of a doctrine. Satan agrees with true doctrine (James 2:19). Saving faith is far deeper and more pervasive than that.” Could it be that churches are filled with a lot of people who give intellectual assent to a doctrine but whose hearts remain lukewarm toward the things of God? What does it mean to experience a “profound change of heart”?
I think we all need to be reminded of the reality of Matthew 7:21-23.
Thanks for posting such a great comment. Let’s keep the conversation going!