Willie

“John is also not saying that our obedience merits or earns God’s love (he has already established Christ’s propitiating sacrifice as the basis of our salvation; see 2:1–2), but rather that those who have God’s love show it, and this evidence of a life transformed by him is critical assurance of being united to him. Our obedience does not gain his love but evidences it. Our disobedience does not remove his love but does affect our assurance. We cannot confidently claim that his grace is ours if we show no evidence that our lives are his.”
― Anonymous, ESV Gospel Transformation Bible

“Pain does not indicate the absence of God. Pain invites us into communion with Jesus and greater dependence on him, as we yearn for his coming while sharing in his sufferings”
― Anonymous, ESV Gospel Transformation Bible

“God chooses the weak in order to exalt his name (cf. 1 Cor. 1:26–27). This is good news for all of us who recognize our own weaknesses and sin. Our failings do not disqualify us from Christ’s kingdom. Spiritual heroism is not what qualifies us for heaven. There is only one hero in the gospel story: Jesus himself.”
― Anonymous, ESV Gospel Transformation Bible

“Family life is typically where our true feelings for the Lord become most clear.”
― Anonymous, ESV Gospel Transformation Bible