John

John 1:13, children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

I like this. It frees us from the debt of gratitude to our parents. We are born of God. Therefore, we should receive and believe in God, rather than simply obey our parents’ will.

John 3:3, Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

When I left my country, learned a new language, and tried to make a living under different rules, it felt like being born again. I need this new birth to see the kingdom of God.

John 3:5-6,Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”

For me, water means I have to cross the sea. I also need to grow spiritually.

John 6:20, But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”

When the storm comes, I long for someone to say “don’t be afraid” to me. That is faith—not because he can conquer the storm or provide shelter, but because he is God, who is above all things. That person cannot be myself; it must be God

John 6:27, Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.

I don’t know why I need to work. Food will spoil, and money will eventually be gone. I tried to seek truth by studying mathematics, but it turned into a race for survival, which I am now tired of.

John 6:35, All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.

This is why I abandoned Confucianism. The words of Confucius are written in ancient Chinese, which I lack the talent to fully understand. I once asked a friend who wanted me to believe in Confucianism if he could write articles in modern Chinese for me. He lost patience and quoted Confucius: “I welcome those who come to learn, but I do not go out to seek students.” He refused to help and told me to learn by myself. I thought, maybe I am not the kind of student he is looking for. Now, even though English is more difficult, I am willing to learn the Bible in English, because I believe God found me. When I come to Jesus, he will never drive me away.

John 6:67, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

This is a key difference between East and West. In China, there is a popular saying: “不要你觉得，只要我觉得” (“It doesn’t matter what you think, only what I think”). Obedience is considered the best quality in a child, and even adults are insulted for wanting to make their own decisions. Jesus, however, does not want his disciples to blindly obey him; he asks what they truly want. This is almost impossible in China.

John 7:7 “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil.”

That is exactly why I feel lonely. I simply do not believe what others believe. My family resents me, and my friends do not like me.

John 8:7 “ Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

I love this story. People often condemn others simply because of emotions or differences in opinion. But before we judge or harm someone, we should first ask ourselves: are we truly without sin?

John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 8:44 You want to carry out your father’s desires.

This is why I feel lost. I don’t want to carry the desires of my father or my ancestors. In Chinese culture, people often focus on having descendants rather than on personal belief. It seems the only reason for a person’s existence is to have children.

John: 9:3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in his life.”

This is important. How should we view suffering? Rather than blaming ourselves or others, Jesus teaches that suffering can be an opportunity for God’s work to be revealed. In China, it is common to believe that suffering is the result of one’s own or one’s parents’ mistakes, leading to self-blame or blaming others. People may avoid helping those who suffer, or only help in hopes of gaining benefits in the next life. But Jesus offers a different perspective: suffering is not always a punishment, but can be a way for God’s purpose to be shown.

John 11:50, “You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”

If someone is sentenced to die in order to save the nation, he will be regarded as a hero in China, and few would question whether it is right or wrong. Even sacrificing innocent lives for the sake of good harvests—such as in the story from Journey to the West where two children are killed to bring rain—is often accepted. This highlights a difference between Chinese and Western perspectives.

John 13:8 “Jesus answered: “unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

In China, government officials often refer to themselves as “the people’s servants.” But everyone knows this is not true. Even this phrase is borrowed from Christianity.

John 15:9, As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.

John 15:12, My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

John 15:14, You are my friends if you do what I command.

Love is unconditional, but if I love Jesus, I will naturally keep his commands. There is no hierarchy—if we love one another, we are all friends. This idea, too, comes from Christianity.

John 21:22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

This is important. In China, the value of our lives is often measured by comparing ourselves to others. In reality, we should simply follow the Lord.