Thankfully, God's restraining grace keeps even the worst of us from being utterly depraved. The worst people who have ever lived could've been worse.

I enjoy receiving love from my wife. I'm ecstatic when Kim loves me and expresses affection toward me. Something in me comes alive when she does that. But I've learned this freeing truth: I don't need that love, because in Jesus, I receive all the love I need.

Only the gospel can truly save you. The gospel doesn't make bad people good; it makes dead people alive...the gospel is God's acceptance of us based on what Christ has done, not on what we can do.

There's nothing like suffering to remind us how not in control we actually are, how little power we ultimately have, and how much we ultimately need God.

Once God saves us He doesn't move us beyond the gospel, but He moves us more deeply into the gospel.

Sanctification consists of the daily realization that in Christ we have died, and in Christ we have been raised.

Our assurance is anchored in the love and grace of God expressed in the glorious exchange: our sin for His righteousness.