People are messy; therefore, relationships will be messy. Don't be surprised by messiness.

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?

The Gospel is that Jesus Christ came to earth, lived the life we should have lived and died the death we should have died.

A rich, vibrant, consoling, hard-won prayer life is the one good that makes it possible to receive all other kinds of goods rightly and beneficially. [Paul] does not see prayer as merely a way to get things from God but as a way to get more of God himself.

After creation God said, 'It is finished'-and he rested. After redemption Jesus said, 'It is finished'-and we can rest.

Jesus is the author of faith, the provider of faith, and the object of faith.

In religion, you obey because God is useful. In Christianity, you obey because God is beautiful.