Tozer on Biblical Paradoxes

"If all this appears self-contradictory - Amen, be it so. The various elements of truth stand in perpetual antithesis, sometimes requiring us to believe apparent opposites while we wait for the moment when we shall know as we are known. The truth which now appears to be in conflict with itself will arise in shining unity and it will be seen that the conflict has not been in the truth but in our sin-damaged minds."

A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy, p.36

The Gospel: The Power of God for Salvation

"The work of conversion is completed by the ingenerating and acting of faith in God, by Jesus Christ... To this purpose it is necessary that the gospel, that is the doctrine of it concerning redemption, righteousness, and salvation by Jesus Christ, be declared and made known to sinners."

-John Owen, The Holy Spirit, p.240-241

Gospel Efficacy

"Trying to stop the gospel is like pouring water on a grease fire. The gospel explodes in the face of opposition."

-Steven Altrogge, Twitter (2010)

Church and politics

"It is for this reason that all the calls to "reclaim America for Christ" leave me cold. Our real need is to reclaim the church for Christ. When Christ is exalted in His church, when He is loved and revered and cherised with passion by those who bear His Name--in other words, when the church starts living like the church--then His body cannot help but make an impact on culture."

- Tom Ascol, http://www.founders.org/blog/2005/08/church-and-politics.html

God: the Reformer of our rebellious free will

" 'God worketh in us to will and to do' (Phil. 2:13). The act of willing is of God's operation, and though we ourselves will, yet it is he who causes us to will and to do of his own good pleasure."

-John Owen, The Holy Spirit, p.208

if we're not under the law, why does God still give us commands?

"... the gospel changes my view of God's commandments, in that it helps me to see the heart of the Person from whom those commandments come. When I begin my train of thought with the gospel, I realize that if God loved me enough to sacrifice His Son's life for me, then He must be guided by that same love when He speaks His commandments to me. Viewing God's commands and prohibitions in this light, I can see them for what they really are: friendly signposts from a heavenly Father who is seeking to love me through each directive, so that I might experience His very fullness forever."

-Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer, p.18

The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to blind eyes

"The point of a spotlight is not to stand in front of it and stare into its bright light (that would blind you). A spotlight is useful only when it's pointed at others, enabling us to see them more clearly. And that's what the Spirit does. That's the most living, powerful thing he can do in our lives -help us to see and treasure Jesus Christ."

-Joshua Harris, Dug Down Deep, p.192-193

The self-sufficiency of God

Were all human beings suddenly to become blind, still the sun would shine by day and the stars by night, for these owe nothing to the millions who benefit from their light. So, were every man on earth to become an atheist, it could not affect God in any way. He is what He is in Himself without regard to any other. To believe in Him adds nothing to His perfections; to doubt Him takes nothing away.

-A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy, p.33

‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men...'

(see Luke 18:9-14)

One person may be a relatively decent sinner and another may be a flagrant sinner, but both are sinners... If sixty is the passing grade... it does not matter if you scored forty and I scored twenty. We both failed to get a passing grade. There is no point in your boasting that your failing grade is superior to mine. The only thing that matters is that we both failed the exam...

This eliminates any room for comparison of ourselves with others who may appear more sinful - or at least less holy - than we are. So if we are to live by the gospel every day, all tendency to compare ourselves with other believers, not to mention unbelievers, must be put away. Rather we must measure ourselves against God's perfect standard and daily confess that we have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

-Jerry Bridges, The Discipline of Grace, p.52-53

He is Jesus lyrics

There’s a treasure great in beauty
Far surpassing earth’s great wealth
He is Jesus, Prince of Glory
Source of all grace, peace, and health
There’s a fountain ever flowing
Satisfying all who drink
He is Jesus, spring of joy
To all who hail Him as their King


There’s a power, holy power
Breaking bonds of captive men
He is Jesus, mighty Jesus
Holy warrior and sinner’s friend
There’s a Savior rich in mercy
Quick to pardon all our sins
He is Jesus, great Redeemer
Reconciling God and man


There’s a glorious Lord returning
And all will bow to Him alone
He is Jesus, King of nations
Reigning from His gracious throne
There is one to whom our praises
Will through every age ascend
He is Jesus, King forever
Whose wondrous rule will never end

-Stephen Altrogge, lyrics to "He Is Jesus", In a Little While (album), Sovereign Grace Music