Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord.
J. I. PackerRead
It has been said that in the New Testament doctrine is grace; and ethics is gratitude; and something is wrong with any form of Christianity in which, experimentally and practically, this saying is not being verified. Those who suppose that the doctrine of God's grace tends to encourage moral laxity are simply showing that, in the most literal sense, they do not know what they are talking about. For love awakens love in return; and love, once awakened, desires to give pleasure.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that true understanding of grace leads to gratitude and moral behavior, rather than moral laxity.
J. I. Packer discusses a nuanced understanding of Christian doctrine, asserting that grace should foster a sense of gratitude that manifests in ethical behavior. He challenges the misconception that embracing God's grace leads to moral laxity; instead, he argues that genuine love begets love and drives individuals to act in ways that seek to please others, highlighting a fundamental connection between grace, love, and ethics in Christian practice.
Themes
GraceLoveEthicsGratitudeChristianity
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon discussing the principles of Christianity and moral behavior.
More from J. I. Packer
All quotes →He that has learned to feel his sins, and to trust Christ as a Saviour, has learned the two hardest and greatest lessons in Christianity.
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We need to discover all over again that worship is natural to the Christian, as it was to the godly Israelites who wrote the psalms, and that the habit of celebrating the greatness and graciousness of God yields an endless flow of thankfulness, joy, and zeal.
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The fruit of wisdom is Christlikeness, peace, humility and love. And, the root of it is faith in Christ as the manifested wisdom of God
J. I. PackerRead
Were I asked to focus the New Testament message in three words, my proposal would be ADOPTION THROUGH PROPITIATION, and I do not expect ever to meet a richer or more pregnant summary of the gospel than that.
J. I. PackerRead
Only when it is seen that what decides each individual's destiny is whether or not God decides to save him from his sins, and that this is a decision that God need not make in any individual case, can one begin to grasp the biblical view of grace.
J. I. PackerRead
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