Trust is that rare and priceless treasure that wins us the affection of our heavenly Father.
Brennan ManningRead
The sinners to whom Jesus directed His messianic ministry were not those who skipped morning devotions or Sunday church. His ministry was to those whom society considered real sinners. They had done nothing to merit salvation. Yet they opened themselves to the gift that was offered them. On the other hand, the self-righteous placed their trust in the works of the Law and closed their hearts to the message of grace.
Interpretation
True humility and openness to grace are essential for salvation, contrasting with self-righteousness.
This quote by Brennan Manning highlights the distinction between those who genuinely seek redemption, acknowledging their faults and embracing grace, and those who rely on their own perceived righteousness and adherence to rules. It reminds us that salvation is a gift for those who are willing to let go of their pride and accept the mercy that is offered, rather than clinging to an illusion of moral superiority.
In practice
In a sermon discussing the importance of grace, this quote could illustrate how humility opens one to God's gifts.
Trust is that rare and priceless treasure that wins us the affection of our heavenly Father.
There is the "you" that people see and then there is the "rest of you". Take some time and craft a picture of the "rest of you." This could be a drawing, in words, even a song. Just remember that the chances are good it will be full of paradox and contradictions.
Do you honestly believe God likes you, not just loves you because theologically God has to love you?
Suffering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, discouragement, and death will be part of your journey, but the Kingdom of God will conquer all these horrors. No evil can resist grace forever.
For Ragamuffins, God's name is Mercy. We see our darkness as a prized possession because it drives us into the heart of God. Without mercy our darkness would plunge us into despair - for some, self-destruction. Time alone with God reveals the unfathomable depths of the poverty of the spirit. We are so poor that even our poverty is not our own: It belongs to the mysterium tremendum of a loving God.
In my experience, self-hatred is the dominant malaise crippling Christians and stifling their growth in the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, since the world has still Much good, but much less good than ill, And while the sun and moon endure Luck's a chance, but trouble's sure, I'd face it as a wise man would, And train for ill and not for good.
People say, on the raft, you must have hallucinated. Baloney. We were sharper after 47 days than the day we started because our minds were empty of all the war and contamination; we had clean minds to fill with good thoughts. Every day we'd exercise our minds.
Well done is better than well said.
Heir to your own karma doesn't mean 'You get what you deserve.' I think it means 'You get what you get.' Bad things happen to good people. My happiness depending on my action means, to me, that it depends on my action of choosing compassion--for myself as well as for everyone else--rather than contention. [p.61]
That which does not kill us makes us stronger.
Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother.
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