Bailey

“Jesus proclaimed the same gospel to the crowds that he taught to the disciples. He did not have the twelve on a special, gospel-plus track to study advanced subject matter. The good news is for everyone because nobody ever graduates from the gospel. Jesus taught the same gospel of the kingdom to sinners and to saints. Why? Because his agenda of grace is the only solution to our common predicament of sin, Christian or non-Christian. Both desperately need the forgiving, reconciling, and restoring power of the gospel to know and enjoy God, not just once but for a lifetime.”
― Jonathan K. Dodson, Gospel-Centered Discipleship: Revised and Expanded

“Other truths can bring you some measure of joy, but why not remind yourself of and reflect on the greatest news in all the world? Why look for lesser truths to bring you hope in your pain than the most joy-inflicting, radical reminder that Jesus went to the cross in your place?”
― Dave Furman, Kiss the Wave: Embracing God in Your Trials

“Edwards explains faith by comparing it to honey.6 Allow me to paraphrase Edwards: I can show you honey. You can marvel at its golden hue, the way it refracts light, and its viscosity. And I can tell you that it is sweet . . . and you can believe that it is sweet. But unless you have tasted it, you don’t know it is sweet. Believing honey is sweet doesn’t mean you really know it is sweet. I could be lying to you. You only know honey is sweet when you have tasted it. Similarly, it’s not enough to believe Jesus is the Son of God and that he died on the cross for our sins. There are many people in the southern states who believe these facts but have not tasted their sweetness. Religious affection compels us beyond “mere belief” into genuine faith, a relishing of all that God is for us in Jesus. It is not enough to agree with Jesus; we must worship Jesus. Genuine faith not only believes but “tastes” the sweetness of Christ. How can we cultivate this affection?”
― Jonathan K. Dodson, Gospel-Centered Discipleship: Revised and Expanded

“Not an ounce of holiness is possible apart from the work of Jesus applied through the Spirit. To bluntly summarize Owen: no Spirit, no gospel holiness. Without reliance on the Spirit we may get morality, even a veneer of Christianity, but no gospel holiness. Apart from the presence and power of the Spirit, our attempt to desire God, believe his promises, fear his warnings, and walk in his ways is absolutely futile. Disciples need more than resolve to believe the gospel; they need the Holy Ghost.”
― Jonathan K. Dodson, Gospel-Centered Discipleship: Revised and Expanded