To properly evaluate the place of good works in the Christian life, we must understand that grace maintains the value of God’s children apart from any merit of their own; but we must also understand that God uses our obedience to promote our good and His glory. By our accomplishments, God works His holy purposes in our lives, provides us with many temporal blessings and, most of all, fulfills our Spirit-instilled longing to honor God with all our heart, soul, mind, and might (cf. Deut. 6:5; Matt. 22:37). While we must be careful not to define blessing only in terms of material possessions or earthly ease, we must also embrace the promise that God “rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Heb. 11:6).
— Bryan Chapell (b. 1954), Theologe, Pastor und Autor
Related Bible passage: DEU.6.5
Topics: Grace & Redemption, Discipleship
Occasions: For Reflection
Bryan Chapell
Bryan Chapell (* 1954) ist ein US-amerikanischer presbyterianischer Pastor, Theologe und ehemaliger Präsident des Covenant Theological Seminary. Bekannt wurde er durch sein Konzept der christuszentrierten Auslegungspredigt, das biblische Texte ausgehend von menschlicher Gebrochenheit konsequent auf die Gnade Gottes in Christus bezieht. Für Bibelleser bieten seine Schriften methodische Zugänge, um Bibeltexte jenseits von reinem Moralismus im heilsgeschichtlichen Zusammenhang zu verstehen.
All quotes by Bryan Chapell (42)
It wasn't the nails that held Jesus to the cross. It was love.
Max Lucado
Grace, like water, flows to the lowest part.
Philip Yancey
In our own woundedness, we can become sources of life for others.
Henri Nouwen
God does not love us because we are lovable, but because his nature is love.
Oswald Chambers
Oswald Chambers
God counts on your failure far more than you do yourself.
Hans Peter Royer
Ultimately mourning means facing what wounds us in the presence of One who can heal.
Henri Nouwen
The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.
Tim Keller