To stand in the presence of God, that is what the Gospel is. The Gospel is not primarily about forgiveness. Itโs not primarily about good feelings. Itโs not primarily about power. All those things are byproducts, sparks. Itโs primarily about the presence of God.
Timothy KellerThe most rapturous delights you have ever had - in the beauty of a landscape, or in the pleasure of food, or in the fulfillment of a loving embrace - are like dewdrops compared to the bottomless ocean of joy that it will be to see God face-to-face (1 John 3:1-3). That is what we are in for, nothing less. And according to the Bible, that glorious beauty, and our enjoyment of it, has been immeasurably enhanced by Christ's redemption of us from evil and death.
Timothy KellerChrist literally walked in our shoes and entered into our affliction. Those who will not help others until they are destitute reveal that Christ's love has not yet turned them into the sympathetic persons the gospel should make them.
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 KellerIn the christian view, the ultimate evidence for the existence of God is Jesus Christ.๏ปฟ If there is a God, we characters in his play have to hope that he put some information about himself in the play. But Christians believe he did more than give us information. He wrote himself into the play as the main character in history, when Jesus was born in a manger and rose from the dead.
Timothy Keller