Without the gospel, our self-image is based on living up to some standards — either our own or someone else’s imposed on us
Eliezer Gonzalezhas quoted5 years ago
Loving God supremely is the only way to truly love anything else and become your true self, to become truly free (2 Cor 4:4; Col 1:15)
Eliezer Gonzalezhas quoted5 years ago
In the same way, if God created us and we owe him everything and we do not live for him but we “live a good life,” it is not enough. We all owe a debt that must be paid
Eliezer Gonzalezhas quoted5 years ago
yet because theological vision is largely invisible, people inevitably (and unfortunately) conclude that the differences are doctrinal
Eliezer Gonzalezhas quoted5 years ago
Therefore, if you think of your doctrinal foundation as “hardware” and of ministry programs as “software,” it is important to understand the existence of something called “middleware
Eliezer Gonzalezhas quoted5 years ago
But its overemphasis on technique and results can put too much pressure on ministers because it underemphasizes the importance of godly character and the sovereignty of God
Eliezer Gonzalezhas quoted5 years ago
“fruit” when he desired to preach in Rome: “that I might have some fruit among you
Eliezer Gonzalezhas quoted5 years ago
simul justus et peccator, both perfect and sinner
Eliezer Gonzalezhas quoted5 years ago
We don’t have to push or coerce them, for it is only God’s grace that opens hearts, not our eloquence or persistence or even their openness
Eliezer Gonzalezhas quoted5 years ago
We are hopeful about everyone, even the “hard cases,” because we were saved only because of grace, not because we were people likely to become Christians