When you hear the glad news that Christ is King, the thing to do is to submit to His rule. When you repent for your sins and believe in Jesus Christ, God establishes His rule in your heart. This is part of what Jesus meant when He said, “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). Anyone who has ever entered that kingdom has done so by praying to God, “Your kingdom come” or words to that effect. That is the way the kingdom comes to you and the way you come into the kingdom. To become a Christian is simply to ask God to set up His throne as the supreme King of your heart.
— Philip Graham Ryken (b. 1966), Theologe, Pastor & Präsident des Wheaton College
Related Bible passage: LUK.17.21
Topics: Discipleship, Grace & Redemption
Philip Graham Ryken
Philip Graham Ryken (* 1966) ist ein US-amerikanischer presbyterianischer Theologe, ehemaliger leitender Pastor der Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia und seit 2010 Präsident des Wheaton College. Er steht für eine evangelikal-reformierte Theologie und verfasste zahlreiche Bibelkommentare sowie theologische Schriften zur Gnadenlehre und Kultur. Bibellesern dient er als systematischer und praxisnaher Schriftausleger, dessen Leitungswirken jedoch auch von Kontroversen um Bekenntnistreue und Kritik am Umgang mit Missbrauchsvorwürfen in seiner früheren Gemeinde begleitet wird.
All quotes by Philip Graham Ryken (37)
Jesus calls us not to a new religion, but to life.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Prayer does not equip us for greater works – prayer is the greater work.
Oswald Chambers
In a sense, learning to follow Jesus is simply learning to pray the Lord’s Prayer.
N.T. Wright
Being a Christian is not a 'do-it-yourself' affair.
Jerry Bridges
God has not called us to success, only to faithfulness.
Mother Teresa
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.
Jim Elliot
Do not be afraid of Christ. He demands nothing and he gives everything.
Pope Benedict XVI
A Christian is not a man who never goes wrong, but a man who is enabled to repent.
C.S. Lewis