The title of this post is a subheading from John Piper’s book Finally Alive (for a PDF version of this book click here). Why the new birth? Here are ten descriptions of our condition apart from the new birth:

1. Apart from the new birth, we are dead in trespasses and sin (Ephesians 2:1-2).
2. Apart from the new birth, we are by nature children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3).
3. Apart from the new birth, we love darkness and hate the light (John 3:19-20).
4. Apart from the new birth, out hearts are hard like stone (Ezekiel 36:26; Ephesians 4:18).
5. Apart from the new birth, we are unable to submit to God or please God (Romans 8:7-8).
6. Apart from the new birth, we are unable to accept the gospel (Ephesians 4:18; I Corinthians 2:14).
7. Apart from the new birth, we are unable to come to Christ or embrace him as Lord (John 6:44, 65; I Corinthians 12:3).
8. Apart from the new birth, we are slaves to sin (Romans 6:17).
9. Apart from the new birth, we are slaves of Satan (Ephesians 2:1-2; II Timothy 2:24-26).
10. Apart from the new birth, no good thing dwells in us (Romans 7:18).

On the first page of Finally Alive Piper states that “the declaration of Jesus that we must be born again (John 3:17) is devastating to the one who would be captain of his soul. Not many biblical realities are better designed to reveal our helplessness in sin” (pp. 9).