The mere inclination to call God “Father”, apart from a sense of my own deep sinfulness, is not the work of the Spirit of God. Note this carefully. It is extremely important. Nothing is easier than to teach men to address God as “Father”. But the Spirit’s work is different in this way: the Spirit teaches men to call God “Father”, who would otherwise fear to do so because of what they know of their own sin.
— Tom Wells (1933–2019), Pastor, Evangelist und Buchautor
Topics: God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit, Guilt & Forgiveness, Grace & Redemption
Occasions: For Reflection
Tom Wells
Tom Wells (1933–2019) war ein US-amerikanischer Pastor, Evangelist und Buchautor der reformierten Baptisten, der fast drei Jahrzehnte lang eine Gemeinde in Ohio leitete. Bekanntheit erlangte er durch seine theozentrische Missionslehre sowie als einflussreicher Mitgestalter der sogenannten Neubund-Theologie. Heutigen Bibellesern begegnet sein Werk in Form seelsorgerlicher und bibelzentrierter Auslegungen über Gottes Wesen, Gnade und das geistliche Leben.
You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.
Augustine of Hippo
Jesus calls us not to a new religion, but to life.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I would not be able to seek you if you had not already found me.
Augustine of Hippo
When you see a child, you catch God in the act.
Martin Luther
God does not love us because we are lovable, but because his nature is love.
Oswald Chambers
God seeks you more than your offering.
Augustine of Hippo
God has his ear at your heart.
Augustine of Hippo
God is closer to us than we are to ourselves.
Augustine of Hippo