It is remarkable that in all of his writings Paul's prayers for his friends contain no appeals for changes in their circumstances.

We do not have to make ourselves suffer in order to merit forgiveness. We simply receive the forgiveness earned by Christ. 1 John 1:9 says that God forgives us because He is ‘just.’ That is a remarkable statement. It would be unjust of God to ever deny us forgiveness, because Jesus earned our acceptance! In religion we earn our forgiveness with our repentance, but in the gospel we just receive it.

[T]he main problem in life is sin, and the only solution is God and his grace. The alternative to this view is to identify something besides sin as the main problem with the world and something besides God as the main remedy. That demonizes something that is not completely bad, and makes an idol out of something that cannot be the ultimate good.

Repentance is like antiseptic. You pour antiseptic onto a wound and, at first, it stings. Then it heals.

If you aren't constantly astonished at God's grace in your solitude, there's no way it can happen in public.

A lack of generosity refuses to acknowledge that your assets are not really yours, but God's.

You should not begin to pray for all you want until you realize that in God you have all you need.