Those who believe they have pleased God by the quality of their devotion and moral goodness naturally feel that they and their group deserve deference and power over others. The God of Jesus and the prophets, however, saves completely by grace. He cannot be manipulated by religious and moral performance--he can only be reached through repentance, through the giving up of power. If we are saved by sheer grace we can only become grateful, willing servants of God and of everyone around us.
christianity faith grace religion repentance timothy-keller
Download Image Share on X Share on Facebook

About This Quote

About Timothy J. Keller

Timothy J. Keller was a 20th-century American pastor and theologian. Timothy James Keller was an American Presbyterian pastor, Reformed theologian, and Christian apologist. He was the chairman and co-founder of Redeemer City to City, which trains pastors for service around the world. Read more on Wikipedia →

Themes

  • Faith — Reflections on belief, spirituality, and trust in the unseen
  • Religion — Exploring belief systems, worship, and spiritual practice

More quotes by Timothy J. Keller

“[Spiritual friendship] is eagerly helping one another know, serve, love, and resemble God in deeper and deeper ways.”
— Timothy J. Keller
friendship love marriage spirituality

“To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we...”
— Timothy J. Keller
bond commitment love marriage

“Falling in love in a Christian way is to say,'I am excited about your future and I want to be part of getting you there. I'm signing up for the journey with you. Would you sign up for the journey t...”
— Timothy J. Keller
falling-in-love keller love relationships

“This principle - that your spouse should be capable of becoming your best friend - is a game changer when you address the question of compatibility in a prospective spouse. If you think of marriage...”
— Timothy J. Keller
compatiblity love marriage romance

“Real love, the Bible says, instinctively desires permanence.”
— Timothy J. Keller
biblical-love marriage permanence timothy-keller

“Those dreaming of the perfect match are outnumbered by those who don't really want it at all, though perhaps they can't admit it. After all, our culture makes individual freedom, autonomy and fulfi...”
— Timothy J. Keller
love marriage the-self
View all quotes by Timothy J. Keller →

Related Quotes

“The dripping blood our only drink,The bloody flesh our only food:In spite of which we like to thinkThat we are sound, substantial flesh and blood--Again, in spite of that, we call this Friday good.”
— T.S. Eliot
christianity good-friday jesus spirituality

“...the secret to joy is to keep seeking God where we doubt He is.”
— Ann Voskamp
christianity spirituality

“Joy is thankfulness, and when we are joyful, that is the best expression of thanks we can offer the Lord, Who delivers us from sorrow and sin.”
— Thaddeus of Vitovnica, Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
christianity eastern-orthodoxy joy joyfulness

“Some people don't understand the promises they're making when they make them," I said."Right, of course. But you keep the promise anyway. That's what love is. Love is keeping the promise anyway.”
— John Green
faith faithfulness love promises

“I think if I've learned anything about friendship, it's to hang in, stay connected, fight for them, and let them fight for you. Don't walk away, don't be distracted, don't be too busy or tired, don...”
— Jon Katz
faith friends friendship love

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
— Anonymous
faith god hope love

“There is no competition in work. Whoever loves to labour does so as grace of life.”
— Lailah Gifty Akita
grace inspiring labour life

“...whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. And peace will be with you.”
— Barbara Kingsolver
grace peace

“If perception is limited to experience and knowledge, what proof do we have of moral judgement?”
— Kierra C.T. Banks
grace journey love peace