In Christ, that is, in terms of my position in him, having had his righteousness imputed or reckoned to me through faith alone, God is always and eternally pleased with me, delighted with me, and sings over me in joy (Zeph. 3:17). But when it comes to my daily experience, to whatever extent I disobey or trust and treasure something or someone above him, I displease him and grieve his heart. There is, then, a huge difference between my eternal union with God, on the one hand, in which I am his beloved child whom he loves without conditions, and my experiential communion with God, on the other hand, in which I can either experience joyful fellowship and intimacy or, because of unrepentant sin, languish under the conviction wrought by the Holy Spirit and the disciplinary hand of a loving Father who seeks to turn me back to himself and to righteousness.
Sam Storms born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, is a scholar/author and Senior Pastor at Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City. His favorite movie is Field of Dreams, his favorite smell is fried okra, his first job was working construction in Duncan, Oklahoma and when not engaged in academic rigor he enjoys reading, writing, movies, and baseball.. You can listen to his sermons here, and read his blog here.