Without the gospel we hate ourselves instead of our sin. Without the gospel weโre motivated through all sorts of awful fear and pride to change and it doesnโt really change our hearts; it just restrains our hearts.
Timothy KellerChristians tend to motivate others with guilt. We tend to say: You would do this if you were really committed Christians, indicating that we are committed and all that is needed is for others to become as good as we are! This is why so many churches quench the motivation of people for ministry. In our shoes, Paul would say: Remember the grace God has showered on youโwhat does living out and enjoying that grace look like in this situation?
Timothy KellerIf you wait until your motives are pure and unselfish before you do something, you will wait forever.
Timothy KellerIf Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn't rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead.
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