Only on the cross do you have a totally holy God and a totally loving God.

Out of the cross comes the resurrection. Out of weakness comes real strength.

You are a totally loved moral failure.

Every other religion points to answers. Jesus, though, says 'I am the answer'.

Unless we believe the gospel, we will be driven in all we do-whether obeying or disobeying-by pride ('self-love') or fear ('of damnation'). Apart from 'grateful remembering' of the gospel, all good works are done then for sinful motives. Mere moral effort may restrain the heart, but does not truly change the heart. Moral effort merely 'jury rigs' the evil of the heart to produce moral behavior out of self-interest. It is only a matter of time before such a thin tissue collapses.

No writer or thinker has taught me as much as James Hunter has about this all-important and complex subject of how culture is changed.

Christ's resurrection not only gives you hope for the future; it gives you hope to handle your scars right now.