The Higher Standard

Law says I must give a tenth of my income to the church

Grace says that I can overflow with generosity whenever the opportunity

Which is the higher standard?

Law says I must share my faith everyday

Grace says that I can seek to love God so deeply that he overflows out of my life to touch others

Which is the higher standard?

Law says I must read my Bible through each year

Grace stirs my heart so that I long to find Christ in the pages of scripture

Which is the higher standard?

Law says I must attend services twice on a Sunday and not miss the prayer meeting

Grace inspires me to long to meet God with my brothers and sisters

Which is the higher standard?

John Piper tells the story of an American football coach who decided not to tell his team to get up at five in the morning and run three miles to ensure peak physical fitness. Instead he sought to inspire them by focusing the players on the joy of playing the sport, the privilege of representing their university and the opportunity of making history by winning the play-offs. He then encouraged them to do all they could to get fit and be physically ready for the task ahead

Was the coach right to take this approach? Which was more likely to produce the fit players that he required? Which was the higher standard?