John Piper

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. . . . Everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1 John 5:1, 4 Praise God for the victorious, faith-creating power of the new birth. The miraculous beginnings of eternal life.

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God.” 1 John 5:1 “Love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God.” 1 John 4:7 Beware of reading one conditional text and thinking it is the only condition.

“Judas said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.” John 12:6 Be shocked. Be utterly amazed at the power of the love of money — that Judas would steal under the very nose of God.

“If you believe you will see the glory of God.” John 11:40

“If anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” 1 John 3:17 To become a Christian is to have God’s love take up effective residence in the heart.

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God.” 1 John 5:1 “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers.” 1 John 3:14 So faith is a sign of new life, and love is a sign of new life. Hence: “In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” Galatians 5:6

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” John 11:25–26 There will be a kind of dying that is not dying.

“No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.” 1 John 3:9 Are you at home in the practice of sin? Or has sin become a foreign land where you feel out of place?

“We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.” 1 John 3:14 New life loves. That’s what it does. By nature.

“We know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” 1 John 3:2–3 If we are not pursuing purity, we are not hoping for Jesus.

Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.” John 11:14–15 From this we learn that contrary emotions are possible in the same soul at the same time. Gladness that he was not there was not gladness in Martha and Mary’s pain. That was sympathy.

“Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?” Ezekiel 34:2

“God makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away.” Job 12:23 Let this global wonder make you bold.

“In the thought of one who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune.” Job 12:5 O Lord, make every blessing a cause of compassion, not contempt.

“Abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.” 1 John 2:28 The branch that is drawing its life and joy from the vine will not be ashamed when the vine appears in glory.

“If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.” 1 John 2:24 Our vital fellowship with Christ depends on holding fast to the truth and preciousness of his message. His personal presence is known by his cherished word.

“The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.” John 10:25–26 If you believe on Jesus, be on your face with thankfulness that you were chosen to be his sheep. For that is why you believe. If you do not believe on Jesus, immerse yourself in his story until you see that he is true.

“The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:17 And the will of God is that we have desires that are not the world’s desires.

“Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor.” Ezekiel 28:17 Spoken of a city. But pity the women and men whose life is their looks.

“Will you still say, ‘I am a god,’ in the presence of those who kill you?” Ezekiel 28:9