Our character is mainly shaped by our primary social community - the people with whom we eat, play, converse, and study.
Timothy KellerLook at Jesus Christ. Every time he was in trouble he used the Word of God. When he was tempted he used the Word. When he was suffering on the cross he used the Word.
Timothy KellerIf you are trying to live a life in accordance with the Bible, the concept and call to justice are inescapable. We do justice when we give all human beings their due as creations of God. Doing justice includes not only the righting of wrongs but generosity and social concern, especially toward the poor and vulnerable.
Timothy KellerTo stay away from Christianity because part of the Bibleโs teaching is offensive to you assumes that if there is a God he wouldnโt have any views that upset you. Does that belief make sense? If you donโt trust the Bible enough to let it challenge and correct your thinking, how could you ever have a personal relationship with God? In any truly personal relationship, the other person has to be able to contradict you.
Timothy KellerLove is primarily giving. Itโs an action that leads to a feeling, not a feeling first.
Timothy KellerMost people in the world believe that if there is a God, you relate to God by being good. Most religions are based on that principle, though there are a million different variations on it...But they all have the same logic: If I perform, if I obey, Iโm accepted. The gospel of Jesus is not only different from that but diametrically opposed to it: Iโm fully accepted in Jesus Christ, and therefore I obey.
Timothy Keller