QuoteProject
Sinners cannot obey the gospel, any more than the law, without renewal of heart.
J. I. Packer
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

True change in behavior comes from a fundamental change in one's heart or inner self.

This quote by J. I. Packer emphasizes the importance of inner transformation for genuine adherence to moral or spiritual teachings. It implies that without a renewal of the heart, individuals cannot genuinely follow and obey any ethical or religious code, as true understanding and commitment come from within rather than mere outward compliance.

Themes

SinnersGospelRenewalHeartTransformation

In practice

Example use cases

During a sermon discussing the need for spiritual rebirth.

More from J. I. Packer

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
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.
J. I. PackerRead
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.
J. I. PackerRead
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

Similar quotes

We are all living in cages with the door wide open.
George LucasRead
You understand that the piggies are animals, and you no more condemn them for murdering Libo and Pipo than you condemn a cabra for shewing up capim." That's right," said Miro. Ender smiled. "And that's why you'll never learn anything from them. Because you think of them as animals.
Orson Scott CardRead
I think I give the impression of being a romantic, and I think inside I'm quite severe. But some might say they had the opposite impression of me.
Tom StoppardRead
As in everything else, I must start with myself. That is: in all circumstances try to be decent, just, tolerant, and understanding, and at the same time try to resist corruption and deception. In other words, I must do my utmost to act in harmony with my conscience and my better self.
Vaclav HavelRead
The private interest of the individual would not be sufficiently provided for by reasonable and cool self-love alone; therefore the appetites and passions are placed within as a guard and further security, without which it would not be taken due care of.
Joseph ButlerRead
This is the third time; I hope good luck lies in odd numbers. Away; go. They say there is divinity in odd numbers, either in nativity, chance, or death.
William ShakespeareRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.