1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
2 For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
Must-Read Christian Books
Desiring God
Piper unpacks "Christian Hedonism": that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him, grounded in Scripture.
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The Pilgrim's Progress
A classic allegory of the Christian journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, saturated with Scripture.
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The Reason for God
Thoughtful, biblical responses to common objections to Christianity, aimed at skeptics and believers alike.
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Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God
A robust, Scripture-saturated theology of prayer with practical guidance for deepening communion with God.
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A Call to Spiritual Reformation
Walks through Paul's prayers to teach believers how to pray biblically and God-centeredly.
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The Gospel for Real Life
Shows how the finished work of Christ applies to everyday struggles and assurance.
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Overcoming Sin and Temptation
A classic Puritan work on mortifying sin and living in the power of the Spirit.
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Future Grace
Argues that faith in God's future grace frees believers from the enslaving power of sin.
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Spurgeon on the Christian Life
A portrait of Charles Spurgeon's Christ-centered theology and joyful piety.
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The Bondage of the Will
Luther's classic defense of the Bible's teaching on human sin and God's sovereign grace.
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Expository Listening
Teaches Christians how to listen to expository preaching in a way that bears fruit.
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Biblical Preaching
Introduces the "big idea" approach to expository sermons, rooted in the biblical text.
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Worship Matters
Helps worship leaders and churches keep the gospel central in congregational worship.
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Christ-Centered Worship
Traces historic worship patterns and shows how to shape Christ-focused services today.
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Delighting in the Trinity
A joyful, readable introduction to the triune God and why His tri-unity is good news.
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The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment
Teaches believers how to distinguish truth from error using Scripture.
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This Momentary Marriage
Shows how marriage is designed to display the covenant love of Christ and His church.
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