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
Sinners cannot obey the gospel, any more than the law, without renewal of heart.
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
All quotes βHe 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
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