The Cross is not simply a lovely example of sacrificial love. Throwing your life away needlessly is not admirable โ it is wrong. Jesusโ death was only a good example if it was more than an example, if it was something absolutely necessary to rescue us. And it was. Why did Jesus have to die in order to forgive us? There was a debt to be paid โ God himself paid it. There was a penalty to be born โ God himself bore it. Forgiveness is always a form of costly suffering.
Timothy KellerThe more you understand how your salvation isn't about your behavior, the more radically your behavior will change.
Timothy KellerWhile your character flaws may have created mild problems for other people, they will create major problems for your spouse and your marriage.
Timothy KellerIf you want God's grace, all you need is need, all you need is nothing. But that kind of spiritual humility is hard to muster. We come to God saying, "Look at all I've done," or maybe "Look at all I've suffered." God, however, wants us to look to him - to just wash.
Timothy Keller