It is one thing to love sin and to force ourselves to quit it; it is another thing to hate sin because love for God is so gripping that the sin no longer appeals. The latter is repentance; the former is reform. It is repentance that God requires. Repentance is “a change of mind.” To love and yet quit it is not the same as hating it and quitting it. Your supposed victory over a sin may be simple displacement. You may love one sin so much (such as your pride) that you will curtail another more embarrassing sin which you also love. This may look spiritual, but there is nothing of God in it. Natural men do it every day.
— Jim Elliff (b. 1947), Pastor, Evangelist und christlicher Autor
Topics: Guilt & Forgiveness, Growth & Character, Discipleship
Occasions: For Reflection
Jim Elliff
Jim Elliff (* 1947) ist ein US-amerikanischer Pastor, Evangelist und Autor aus dem reformatorisch-baptistischen Spektrum sowie Gründer des Dienstes Christian Communicators Worldwide. Er tritt mit Nachdruck für biblische Erweckung, verbindliche Gemeindezugehörigkeit und echte Bekehrung ein und wendet sich gegen einen oberflächlichen Entscheidungsglauben. Bibellesern begegnet er heute vor allem durch pointierte Impulse zu geistlicher Wachsamkeit, praktischer Nachfolge und reformatorischem Schriftverständnis.
I am the prodigal son every time I search for unconditional love where it cannot be found.
Henri Nouwen
There are two ways to do good: to give and to forgive.
Augustine of Hippo
God counts on your failure far more than you do yourself.
Hans Peter Royer
The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.
Tim Keller
Forgiveness means allowing the other person not to have to be God.
Henri Nouwen
Love keeps no record of wrongs, but bitterness keeps detailed accounts.
Craig Groeschel
John Newton
Tim Keller