60 quotes
I cannot find in Scripture that anyone ever got to heaven merely by sincerity, or was accepted with God if he was only earnst in maintaining his own views.[…] Sincerity cannot put away sin.
Only One Way (1850)
We are all naturally self-righteous. It is the family-disease of all the children of Adam.
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: St. Luke (1858)
Wealth is no mark of God's favour. Poverty is no mark of God's displeasure.
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: St. Luke (1858)
The Lord Jesus is a friend who never changes. There is no fickleness about Him. Those whom He loves, He loves unto the end.
Home Truths (1859)
Hell itself is truth known too late.
The Upper Room (1888)
Tomorrow is the devil's day, but today is God's. Satan cares not how spiritual your intentions may be, and how holy your resolutions, if only they are fixed for tomorrow.
The Upper Room (1888)
Without a divine call no one can be saved. We are all so sunk in sin, and so wedded to the world, that we would never turn to God, unless He first called us by His grace.
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: St. Mark (1857)
I believe that the want of our age is not more "free" handling of the Bible, but more "reverent" handling, more humility, more patient study, and more prayer.
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: St. John (1865)
[T]here is more to be learned at the foot of the cross than anywhere else in the world.
Startling Questions (1853)
[T]he parent who tries to train without setting a good example is building with one hand and pulling down with the other.
The Upper Room (1888)
We must give up the idea of trying to please everybody. That is impossible, and the attempt is a mere waste of time. We must be content to walk in Christ's steps, and let the world say what it likes.
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: St. Luke (1858)
When I speak of a man "growing in grace," I mean simply this—that his sense of sin is becoming deeper, his faith stronger, his hope brighter, his love more extensive, his spiritual-mindedness more marked.
Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots (1877)
[T]he devil has more knowledge than any of us, and yet is no better for it.
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: St. John (1865)
No man ever said at the end of his days, "I have read my Bible too much, I have thought of God too much, I have prayed too much, I have been too careful about my soul."
Home Truths (1859)
Our Lord has many weak children in His family, many dull pupils in His school, many raw soldiers in His army, and many lame sheep in His flock. Yet He bears with them all, and casts none away.
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: St. John (1865)
It has often been observed that the mothers of great men, and especially of great divines, have been remarkable for strong mind and force of intellect. Mothers have been found, as a general rule, to influence children's character far more than fathers.
Light from Old Times (1890)
It was the whole Trinity, which at the beginning of creation said, "let us make man." It was the whole Trinity again, which at the beginning of the Gospel seemed to say, "let us save man."
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: St. Matthew (1856)
All the simplicity in the world can do no good, unless you preach the simple Gospel of Jesus Christ so fully and clearly that everybody can understand it. If Christ crucified has not His rightful place in your sermons, and sin is not exposed as it should be, and your people are not plainly told what they ought to believe, and be, and do, your preaching is of no use.
The Upper Room (1888)
Examine your own hearts. Do you see there any habit or custom which you know is wrong in the sight of God? If you do, don't delay for a moment in attacking it. Resolve at once to lay it aside. Nothing darkens the eyes of the mind so much, and deadens the conscience so surely, as an allowed sin. It may be a little one, but it is not any less dangerous.
The Upper Room (1888)
Remember that you are to venture the whole salvation of your soul on Christ, and on Christ only. You are to cast loose completely and entirely from all other hopes and trusts. You are not to rest partly on Christ,—partly on doing all you can,—partly on keeping your Church,—partly on receiving the sacrament. In the matter of your justification Christ is to be all.
Only One Way (1850)