Discipleship is not an option. Jesus says that if anyone would come after me, he must follow me.

Idols are often good things that we have made into ultimate things.

Jesus is the only Lord who, if you receive him, will fulfill you completely, and, if you fail him, will forgive you eternally.

If you're avoiding sin and living morally so that God will have to bless you and save you, then you may be looking to Jesus as a teacher, model, and helper, but ironically you are avoiding him as Savior. You are trusting in your own goodness rather than in Jesus for your standing with God.

At the cross, we see the worst that sin can do, as humanity - of which each one of us is a part - crucified the Lord. But at the cross, we also see that the most that sin can do cannot thwart God's salvation.

We can only grasp the gospel's sweetness if we first grapple with its offense- you can't save yourself.

We have to be careful not to elevate our preferences to moral standards and judge others by them. We only do so to feel superior.