Without the Spirit man is so infirm that he cannot, with all other means whatsoever, be enabled to think one right saving thought of God, of Christ, or of his blessed things.
John BunyanRead
I saw, moreover, that it was not my good frame of heart that made my righteousness better, nor my bad frame that made my righteousness worse; for my righteousness was Jesus Christ himself, the same yesterday and today and forever.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes that personal righteousness is not determined by one's emotional state but is rooted in a constant, divine source.
John Bunyan highlights that true righteousness comes from faith in Jesus Christ rather than one's fluctuating feelings or moral efforts. This perspective encourages individuals to recognize that their worth and virtue are not dependent on their emotional states but on their relationship with the divine, which remains unchanged over time.
Themes
RighteousnessFaithJesusConstantDivine
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a sermon to illustrate the nature of salvation.
More from John Bunyan
All quotes →For to speak the truth, there are but few that care thus to spend their time, but choose rather to be speaking of things to no profit.
John BunyanRead
I saw a man clothed with rags . . . a book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back.
John BunyanRead
Look how fears have presented themselves, so have supports and encouragements; yea, when I have started, even as it were at nothing else but my shadow, yet God, as being very tender of me, hath suffered me to be molested, but would with one Scripture or another, strengthen me against all; insomuch that I have often said, Were it awful, I could pray for greater trouble, for the greater comfort's sake.
John BunyanRead
There can be but one will the master in our salvation, but that shall never be the will of man, but of God; therefore man must be saved by grace.
John BunyanRead
I would say to my soul, O my soul, this is not the place of despair; this is not the time to despair in. As long as mine eyes can find a promise in the Bible, as long as there is a moment left me of breath or life in this world, so long will I wait or look for mercy, so long will I fight against unbelief and despair.
John BunyanRead
Similar quotes
Laws change more slowly than custom, and though dangerous when they fall behind the times are more dangerous still when they presume to anticipate custom.
Marguerite YourcenarRead
Human history is a Gaian dream.
Terence MckennaRead
I'm inclined to reserve all judgement, a habit that has opened up many curious natures to me and made me the victim of not a few veteran bores. The abnormal mind is quick to detect and attach itself to this quality when it appears in a normal person, and so it came about that in college I was unjustly accused of being a politician, because I was privy to the secret griefs of wild, unknown men.
F. Scott FitzgeraldRead
Heroism breaks its heart, and idealism its back, on the intransigence of the credulous and the mediocre, manipulated by the cynical and the corrupt.
Christopher HitchensRead
Time drops in decay Like a candle burnt out. And the mountains and woods Have their day, have their day; But, kindly old rout Of the fire-born moods, You pass not away.
William Butler YeatsRead
All you have to do is wait,” I explained. “Sit tight and wait for the right moment. Not try to change anything by force, just watch the drift of things. Make an effort to cast a fair eye on everything. If you do that, you just naturally know what to do. But everyone’s always too busy. They’re too talented, their schedules are too full. They’re too interested in themselves to think about what’s fair.
Haruki MurakamiRead