Unless we believe the gospel, we will be driven in all we do-whether obeying or disobeying-by pride ('self-love') or fear ('of damnation'). Apart from 'grateful remembering' of the gospel, all good works are done then for sinful motives. Mere moral effort may restrain the heart, but does not truly change the heart. Moral effort merely 'jury rigs' the evil of the heart to produce moral behavior out of self-interest. It is only a matter of time before such a thin tissue collapses.

Christ literally walked in our shoes and entered into our affliction. Those who will not help others until they are destitute reveal that Christ's love has not yet turned them into the sympathetic persons the gospel should make them.

There is a joy available that the deepest grief cannot put out. No circumstance or person can take away the joy God gives.

Suffering is the stripping of our hope in finite things, therefore we do not put our ultimate hope in anything finite.

Prayer turns theology into experience.

Jesus came into this world not as a philosopher or a general but as a carpenter. All work matters to God.

Prayer gives us relief from the melancholy burden of self-absorption .