At the root of all our disobedience are particular ways in which we continue to seek control of our lives through systems of works-righteousness. The way to progress as a Christian is to continually repent and uproot these systems the same way we become Christians, namely by the vivid depiction (and re-depiction) of Christ’s saving work for us, and the abandoning of self-trusting efforts to complete ourselves. We must go back again and again to the gospel of Christ-crucified, so that our hearts are more deeply gripped by the reality of what he did and who we are in him.

If we are deeply moved by the sight of his love for us, it detaches our hearts from other would-be saviors. We stop trying to redeem ourselves through our pursuits and relationships, because we are already redeemed. We stop trying to make others into saviors, because we have a Savior.

The human race doesn't need more books telling them what to do. They need the power to do what they already know.

The church should be a place where people can be free to say that they are sinners.

The product of a true, growing, gospel-centered nature is often gentleness.

The gospel humbles us into the dust and at the very same time exalts us to the heavens.

God takes our misery and suffering so seriously that he was willing to take it on himself.