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The true Christian is like sandalwood, which imparts its fragrance to the axe which cuts it, without doing any harm in return.
Sadhu Sundar Singh
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The true Christian embodies selflessness by positively influencing others, even in the face of adversity.

In this quote by Sadhu Sundar Singh, the sandalwood symbolizes a true Christian's ability to emanate goodness and fragrance, even when faced with harm or negativity. Just as sandalwood gives off its pleasant scent to the axe that cuts it, individuals embodying true Christian values offer love and compassion to those who may not treat them kindly, demonstrating the essence of selfless love and resilience in the face of difficulties.

Themes

SelflessnessLoveInfluenceForgivenessResilience

In practice

Example use cases

In a sermon about compassion and selflessness, this quote can illustrate how one should respond to negativity with kindness.

More from Sadhu Sundar Singh

Many people despise those who spend their health, strength and money for the salvation of others, and call them mad. And yet it is they who will save many and be saved themselves.
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During an earthquake it sometimes happens that fresh springs break out in dry places which water and quicken the land so that plants can grow. In the same way the shattering experiences of suffering can cause the living water to well up in a human heart.
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Some people become tired at the end of ten minutes or half an hour of prayer. What will they do when they have to spend Eternity in the presence of God? We must begin the habit here and become used to being with God.
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Perhaps the greatest barrier to revival on a large scale is the fact that we are to interested in a great display. We want an exhibition; God is looking for a man who will throw himself entirely on God. Whenever self-effort, self-glory, self-seeking or self-promotion enters into the work of revival, then God leaves us to ourselves.
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Salt, when dissolved in water, may disappear, but it does not cease to exist. We can be sure of its presence by tasting the water. Likewise, the indwelling Christ, though unseen, will be made evident to others from the love which he imparts to us.
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A newborn child has to cry, for only in this way will his lungs expand. A doctor once told me of a child who could not breathe when it was born. In order to make it breathe the doctor gave it a slight blow. The mother must have thought the doctor cruel. But he was really doing the kindest thing possible. As with newborn children the lungs are contracted, so are our spiritual lungs. But through suffering God strikes us in love. Then our lungs expand and we can breathe and pray.
Sadhu Sundar SinghRead

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Quote by Sadhu Sundar Singh | QuoteProject