What is an idol? It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.
Timothy KellerElder brothers obey God to get things. They don't obey God to get God himself — in order to resemble him, love him, know him, and delight him.
Timothy KellerEvery religion has a prophet who is pointing people to God. Jesus is the only one who says, 'I am God, and I am coming to find you.'
Timothy KellerLove without truth is sentimentality; it supports and affirms us but keeps us in denial about our flaws. Truth without love is harshness; it gives us information but in such a way that we cannot really hear it. God's saving love in Christ, however, is marked by both radical truthfulness about who we are and yet also radical, unconditional commitment to us. The merciful commitment strengthens us to see the truth about ourselves and repent. The conviction and repentance moves us to cling to and rest in God's mercy and grace.
Timothy Keller