15 Life Lessons—Short and Sweet by John Piper

Link to Piper's God-Centered Resources

Week of December 26

Things I Have Learned
John Piper

Since my father died, I have been looking through his papers. I found a small sheet with the following fifteen counsels, titled "Things I Have Learned."

I received an e-mail beginning that way at the end of last year.  What this godly pastor learned from his worthy father struck me as so important, I took the time to summarize what he said in my journal: 

1. The right road always leads to the right place; therefore, get on the right road and go as far as you can on it.
2. There is only one thing to do about anything: the right thing.
3. Happiness is not found by looking for it. You stumble onto happiness on the road to duty.
4. The door to success swings on the hinges of opposition.
5. God in the right place in my life fixes every other relationship. If God is the blazing center of your solar system, all the other planets will be in their proper orbits.
6. It is never right to get the right thing in the wrong way—things like good grades, money, power, and position.  Don't sacrifice your principles.
7. It is a sin to do less than your best. It is wrong to do merely well.
8. It is wrong to be yoked to one who refuses the yoke of Christ.
9. The part of your character that is deficient is the part that needs attention.
10. Don't quit. Finish the job.
11. Anything that hinders your progress for God is wrong.
12. Beware of any society in which you feel compelled to put a basket over your Christian testimony.
13. It is not enough to be good; be good for something. Don't be a don'ter (known for things you don't do)—be a doer!
14. Positive living produces negative effects: you cannot love without hating what hurts the beloved.
15. Learn to be sweetly firm.