God made you to love him supremely, but he lost you. He returned to get you back, but it took the cross to do it. He absorbed your darkness so that one day you can finally and dazzlingly become your true self and take your seat at his eternal feast.

All change comes from deepening your understanding of the salvation of Christ and living out the changes that understanding creates in your heart.

Jesus Christ did not suffer so that you would not suffer. He suffered so that when you suffer, you’ll become more like him. The gospel does not promise you better life circumstances; it promises you a better life.

When I forget the gospel I become dependent on the smiles and evaluation of others.

We can only grasp the gospel's sweetness if we first grapple with its offense- you can't save yourself.

Christians 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 you—what does living out and enjoying that grace look like in this situation?

It is not the strength of your faith but the object of your faith that actually saves you.