Does Christ get a good reputation because of the way we live? Is the excellence of Christ displayed in our lives? That should matter to us, not whether we ourselves are praised.
John PiperNot to abide in Jesusโ love would mean that we stop believing that we are loved by Jesus. We look at our circumstances - perhaps persecution or disease or abandonment - and we conclude that we are not loved by Jesus anymore. Thatโs the opposite of abiding in the love of Jesus. So abiding in his love means continuing to believe, moment by moment, that we are loved.
John PiperGiving in a regular, disciplined, generous way-up to and beyond the tithe-is simply good sense in view of the promises of God.
John Piper