Twitter Quotes
Apr 18th, 2009 by Nathan White
As I have mentioned before, I have joined Twitter now and am so far enjoying it. One of the things I like about it is that I can share quotes that I come across while reading and get instant feedback from those following me.
Today, I’d just like to collect and share the various quotes that I have posted on Twitter –quotes that I have found interesting having come across them while reading.
There are some really good quotes below; so I hope you’ll check them out. Feel free to share your thoughts or open up a discussion on any of them:
“Where lies the power of a temptation to sin but in that it offers some contentment that the heart did not have before?”
“The very first [real] work that shall draw the heart to believe and hope in Jesus Christ will draw the heart from the love of every sin…”
“God, in giving all the things of the world to…wicked ones, His enemies, shows there is not much excellency and good in (earthly riches).”
“Shall the understanding of the freedom of the grace of God carry you on less (in obediemce) than your slavish terror did (legalism)?”
(My own observation that might be pertinent to this post): I don’t get why we chide Catholics for their image worship while our own bookstores (Lifeway) market & sell graven images by the thousands
“many godly keep from gross sins…but they should be humbled for their thoughts, for misspending time, and for not sanctifying God’s name”
“It is no love in God to let men go on in sin, and never smite. God’s greatest curse is when He afflicts not for sin.” – T. Watson
“see the dreadful authority in the Word…see that there is more of His glory in the Word than in the whole creation of heaven and earth”
“Ye will not get leave to steal quietly to heaven, in Christ’s company, without a conflict and a cross.” S Rutherford
“Christ is never sweet till sin is felt to be bitter; nor is He rest till man feels sin to be a burden.” – T. Watson
“The gospel starts by teaching that we, as creatures, are absolutely dependent on God, and that He, as Creator, has an absolute claim on us”
“Where Christ sends the gospel there Christ has His people” (unregenerated elect). -JI Packer
“If you have no Calvin, you have no America.” – http://twurl.nl/jcyled
Islamic theologian: “the only version of Christianity we fear is Calvinism, for it encompasses all of life.” – quote from Edward Donnelly
“As theology grew simpler [over time in US history], technique [in evangelism] became predominant”
“If God was severe to His own Son, how dreadful will He be one day to His enemies!” – T. Watson
“If the fountains of science were [studied] without the salt of revealed [divine] truth, they would become a curse.”
“It is [only] the Spirit of God who makes the same means [preaching/evangelizing] more effective at some seasons than at others.”
“Man unhumbled before God believes that God has no right to give to any what he will not equally give to all.”
“It is reverence, humility, and stillness rather than noise and excitement which mark the nearness of God to a people.” – Iain Murray
“Show me a man in whom holiness and sin are struggling for dominion, and I will show you one who is already born again.” – CHS
“The true convert is reconciled because he is pleased with the character of God; the false convert because he hopes God is pleased with him”
“An invitation to come to Jesus Christ is an invitation to become a worshiper of Him.” – J. Mac
“True biblical preaching will never leave unbelievers comfortable in the presence of true Christians.”
Do you agree with Samuel Miller that altar calls “favor the rapid multiplication of superficial, ignorant untrained professors of religion”?
“securing mass consent in evangelism is only possible where the full biblical teaching on depravity & regeneration is kept out of view”
Obvious but still profound: “Wherever there is faith in Jesus Christ a miracle of purification has been wrought in the heart.” – CHS
“God reveals Himself as the God who requires holiness of all who would be in loving relationship with Him.”
“What is repentance? Admitting that you’re not God;valuing Jesus more than your immediate pleasure;giving up the things the Bible calls sin”
“Happiness is the motive of every man, even those who hang themselves.” – Agree or disagree?
And I...
“Happiness is the motive of every man, even those who hang themselves.” – Agree or disagree?
With the possible exception of a few true masochists, I’d have to agree. Those who commit suicide are often attempting to escape some form of intense physical or emotional suffering.
Of course, one can derive happiness in perverted ways, such as those who “enjoy” torturing and killing their fellow creatures and who thrive on the suffering of others. I often wonder if their conscience isn’t providing some sense of sorrow and discomfort, but given some of the atrocities I’ve read of, I’m not so sure.
“God, in giving all the things of the world to…wicked ones, His enemies, shows there is not much excellency and good in (earthly riches).”
This one’s a hard one. Over the years, I’ve read many arguments for and against wealth. For some, it seems worldly blessings necessarily indicate virtue and “doing the right things” and that their lack indicate sloth, incompetence and wickedness. American pop Christianity seems to reflect the Indian notions of the caste system at times – if you’re poor, it’s because you lack faith or discipline.
On the other hand, many on the far Left seem to argue that having wealth must indicate greed, dishonesty and corruption. That isn’t true, either.
James-
I believe the first quote is good speculation and maybe even right with a majority of people, but I am not convinced that all people at all times seek their happiness alone. For the Christian, of course, this is not true in the least (the true Christian; not the false professor who is religious for selfish reasons). Even with some unbelievers, they at times do things that require self-denial (think Mother Teresa, etc.), and even though they may have selfish motives, they don’t seem to be seeking their own happiness –at least not immediate happiness.
Regarding comments on the second quote, the puritan writer was not implying that there is nothing good whatsoever in earthly things, but was emphasizing that there is no spiritual value in material things because God lavishes riches upon very wicked men. But I do agree with you that there this is a tough issue. Certainly God rewards the diligent (most of the time), but not every time without exception. And certainly God punishes laziness, but certainly not all the time. And certainly, material blessings can be a blessing, but they can also be a curse. If increase in goods/riches/comforts only leads to more sin and less holiness, then those riches are actually a curse upon us…
Good thoughts.