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2774 illustrations evoking love
"The religion of Jesus makes the love of God the ultimate ground of trust and security. God so loved the world—including those whom the world despises—that He gave His Son for ALL. There is no one outside the sweep of...
"Keep your mind in hell and despair not—because God's love reaches even there. Perfect love casts out fear because divine love is infinite, uncreated, all-embracing. In theosis, we participate in this love; fear dissolves as we are enveloped in the Divine.
"Jesus says 'I am the WAY'—not 'I am the correct doctrine.' The way is walked, not merely affirmed. To claim Christ as the way is to follow His path of enemy love, nonviolence, and community. The way is embodied discipleship." — Stanley Hauerwas.
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. The church shines brightest in society's darkest corners—confronting injustice, illuminating oppression, modeling beloved community. 'This little light of mine'—every Black Christian a light refusing to be hid under the bushel...
"Perfect love is not instant but grown—through sanctification, fear is progressively expelled. We cooperate with grace as love deepens. The more we love God and neighbor, the less we fear. Perfect love is the goal of the holy life; fearlessness is its fruit." — E.
"Fear is NOT from God! Stop entertaining it! God has given you POWER—supernatural power! LOVE—perfect love that casts out fear! SOUND MIND—no confusion, no anxiety, just clarity! Activate what you've been given! Command fear to GO in Jesus' name!" — Joyce Meyer.
"Micah 6:8 is sanctification summarized: works of mercy (justice and kindness) flowing from works of piety (walking humbly with God). Personal holiness produces social holiness. These cannot be separated: love God (humble walk), love neighbor (justice and mercy)." — John Wesley.
"WHILE we were sinners—not after we got our act together, not when we became religious, but WHILE we were MESSED UP! That's when Christ died! He didn't wait for you to be worthy—He made you worthy by His blood! Let that SINK IN!
"What does God require of YOU? Justice—be fair in all your dealings. Mercy—be kind to those in need. Humble walk—stay close to God. This is personal obedience, lived out in YOUR relationships, YOUR decisions, YOUR daily walk with God." — Billy Graham.
"The God of the Bible is not a God who is contained in heaven, but rather a God whose love moves toward the world in all its messiness." — Walter Brueggemann. God so loved THE WORLD—not just souls, not just...
"Cast—throw, hurl, fling your cares upon God! Not gently place them but cast them with force. He can carry what crushes you. 'He cares for you'—not just about your problems but about YOU. You are not a burden; you are beloved." — Charles Spurgeon.
"Perfect love enables nonviolent witness—we fear no enemy because we love even enemies. Fear drives to violence; love drives to reconciliation. The early Anabaptists faced martyrdom without fear because they were held in love. Perfect love makes martyrs, not warriors." — John Howard Yoder.
"The goal of Christian life is the acquisition of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit gives power for ascetic struggle, love for enemies, and sophrosyne—the sound, integrated mind. Fear indicates the Spirit's absence; peace and power indicate His presence and indwelling." — St.
"God's love is not simply a feeling but rather an action that creates a people capable of witnessing to the world that God would have the world saved through the love shown in Christ." — Stanley Hauerwas.
"The cloud of witnesses is the communion of saints—those who have finished the race and now cheer us on. We are not alone; the Church Triumphant surrounds the Church Militant. Mary, the saints, the faithful departed—all encourage us. And Jesus,...
"WHILE we were yet sinners—not after we cleaned up, not when we became worthy, but WHILE. This is love beyond comprehension: Christ died for the ungodly. We didn't earn it; we couldn't deserve it; we didn't even want it. Yet He died.
"The Spirit enables what the Spirit commands. Power to overcome, love to reach out, self-discipline to persevere—these are gifts we receive and cultivate. We cooperate with the Spirit; we stir up the gift within. Grace empowers; we respond." — E.
"Christ is the Way—but this way is open to all. He is the Truth—and this truth can be known by any seeking heart. He is the Life—offered freely to whosoever will.
"The disinherited have been told they are unloved, unworthy, separated from God by their race, their poverty, their status. But Paul declares: NOTHING can separate! Not the lies of oppressors, not the systems of exclusion, not the powers of death.
"True faith—the faith through which grace saves—bears fruit. It creates a community of transformed people living differently. We are saved by grace, not works; but saving grace always produces the works of love, peace, and mutual aid." — Menno Simons.
"Nothing in the Christian system is of greater consequence than the doctrine of the Atonement. God so loved the world—the whole world, every soul He has made—that He gave His only Son to the end that whosoever believeth might not perish." — John Wesley.
"The love from which nothing separates is 'the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.' Not abstract divine love but love incarnate, crucified, risen. Christ IS this love; union with Him IS security. In Him, and only in Him, nothing can separate.
"The disinherited are told to fear—fear the master, fear the system, fear speaking out. But perfect love casts out this fear. Love of God empowers courage; love of neighbor empowers solidarity; love of self restores dignity. Love is the Black...
"God chose YOU. YOU are a priest before Him—no human mediator needed. YOU belong to Him personally. This is YOUR identity: chosen, royal, holy, possessed by God. Live up to who YOU are; YOUR calling is personal and YOUR dignity is real." — Billy Graham.